Purchasing Shocks

[Ed in Maine]

Further to Tom Endy's post on rebuilding shocks, does anyone have any experience with the new shocks offered by Synders or Brattons? Some of these are permanently sealed and others are filled with fluid. Which types seem to work the best?

[Rowdy]

No experience with them, but most reports I hear seem to suggest they are not very good. Rod

[Kevin in NJ]

They are very decorative.

The only solution that works are a good (and expensive) set of originals or a set of (also expensive) Stipe shocks.

The others seem to fail, rapidly based on reports over the last many years.

While expensive, properly working shocks are critical to a safe, well behaved Model A when coupled with a properly rebuilt suspension.

[Ron W]

I bought the "sealed" type. had to send them back. they replaced them but those were no good either. I got most of my money back. Ron W

[Gabalus]

I bought sealed shocks and they are leaking ! What can I do ?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by Gabalus

I bought sealed shocks and they are leaking ! What can I do ?

Wall art? If they are out of warranty, sadly not much IMO.

[Dick M]

Contact John Holland (330-483-3896). He is an excellent Model A shock rebuilder. He may have some rebuildable cores at a reasonable price. I have a set of 4 shocks he rebuilt for me and I am happy with them.

[Ed in Maine]

Thank you for your input. Ed

[Ca. Kid]

I bought a set of Bill Stipe shocks about a year ago. He might still have some in stock. You can't go wrong with them. Expensive? You get what you pay for. Hey,its just money.

[Bob-A]

Ditto on the Bill Stipe shocks.

Bob-A

[Patrick L.]

The 'oil-less' ones are junk. The ones that use oil, if they are Bill Stipes, are good units. I know Brattons and Mac's had them.

[luckyal]

I bought the oil ones from Sullivans Garage. The front ones leaked badly immediately. I must say he did replace them but within weeks both front ones leaked badly and within 3 months both back ones leaked. It was a total waste of money ( about $ 325 dollars ) ! Never again !
Al

[sullivansgarage]

Hi Al, we have the brackets specially made for us and have sold over 750 sets, they are great and never had a single complaint. we dont make the shocks but use Gabriel, if you got a couple that didnt last, i am happy to send you a couple more. Give me a call toll free at 855-785-5988. I also have a home in Maine i go to quite often, if you are near Sebago, i could drop the shocks off.
thanks
mark

[Ray64]

John Holland for sure

[1931 flamingo]

Mark: My interpretation of the original post is he's talking reproduction shocks and you're talking MODERN shocks??
Apples and oranges
Paul in CT

[Red Ryder]

Hi Ed, I just had 2 of mine apart that were leaking also. It was the o-rings on the adjustment stem , replaced them, added fluid & no leaks.

[luckyal]

Mark Thank you for the kind offer. This is the first I saw it today. To clarify the matter it is the Modern Gabriel shocks that you buy red and spray black before you ship them. Thanks again, Al

[sullivansgarage]

yes Al the gabriels. Happy to send another set. I have a cottage in Maine, maybe I could even drop them off, I go to the Sebago area most weekends.
Give me a call, 1-855-785-5988, happy to help you out.
thank you
mark

[SeaSlugs]

one of these days ill have my 29 AA on the road. How necessary are shocks on an A? or AA? (mine only came with front shocks and logs for rear springs so the rear doesn't need any) i have the original shocks and arms still but they are two big rust blocks at the moment

i wouldn't think things would get too outta hand crusing at 35...

i know modern cars are very unstable at anything over 10mph without shocks, even my s10's rearend with leafs bounces and keeps bouncing...

does the A front spring have enough spring force to keep it from bouncing?

[jkcrosson]

I had to laugh at the cursing at 35 mph. I did know what you meant.