Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-18-2018, 02:35 PM   #1
woofa.express
Senior Member
 
woofa.express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,745
Default Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Modern Shock Absorbers.

The ride in my ute was harsh so I removed 2 rear springs leaving 10, the same number as a touring car. I added 4 new shockers, the modern type as I have displayed in the picture.
This has made no difference to the ride andI am disappointed of course and think that I may remove more. One member suggested applying a liquid graphite to the springs, I think that may be a good idea but yet to do it.
How have others found these modern shockers? I welcome all comment, on the shockers, springs and other suggestions.
Thankyou in anticipation. Gary


Attached Images
File Type: jpg snyders shockers.jpg (20.2 KB, 65 views)
__________________
I know many things,
But I don't know everything,
Sometimes I forget things.

And there are times when I have a long memory.
woofa.express is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2018, 02:49 PM   #2
duke36
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,414
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

From info provided from the vendors, these are apparently gas charged shocks though not as stiff as KYB, etc. You may want to investigate EMPI 9600 series shocks for '65 VW, Would have to ream the link pins or add new bushings, but these are pure oil, non gas charged , with a softer ride. The spray graphite works fine but use a good spring spreader and large C clamps to deal with the rear spring.
duke36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-18-2018, 03:56 PM   #3
Benson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,579
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

I was working with a friend about 10 years ago, who had gas tube shocks on a Coupe.

Gas shocks were too stiff. I had a set of low mileage Sears shocks for 1969 VW Type III. Straight oil shocks ... no gas. He liked them better than gas,

I also had a set of Koni adjustable oil shocks for 69 Type III. I do not remember if we tried those on Coupe or not.

Each is individually adjustable for rebound and compression rates ...

Seems these would be worth trying.

Last edited by Benson; 09-18-2018 at 08:39 PM.
Benson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2018, 06:27 PM   #4
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

how well lubed are the springs---dry springs will ride hard
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 11:25 AM   #5
updraught
Senior Member
 
updraught's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,966
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

If that was a 13 leaf spring and you had it reset, put about 8 ton of super in the back and it should ride OK.
updraught is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 03:05 PM   #6
woofa.express
Senior Member
 
woofa.express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,745
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by updraught View Post
If that was a 13 leaf spring and you had it reset, put about 8 ton of super in the back and it should ride OK.

Do you reckon that will fix it?
__________________
I know many things,
But I don't know everything,
Sometimes I forget things.

And there are times when I have a long memory.
woofa.express is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 04:01 PM   #7
updraught
Senior Member
 
updraught's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,966
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

No.

Most rough riding is noticed in the front spring. So start there.

Without the shocks the springs should be supple enough to absorb the bumps.

You want the shocks to absorb bounce after the bump (the spring letting go) ie. Like when driving over railway tracks, tne shocks should control the bounce.

Cart springs already have a lot of built in resistance so you don't need to add much with the shocks. I'd only add it on the rebound to control bounce. Let the springs absorb the bump.

Check if the spring leaves are sliding and the shackles spin free etc. as this adds too much resistance.
updraught is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 10:52 AM   #8
woofa.express
Senior Member
 
woofa.express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,745
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by updraught View Post
No.

Most rough riding is noticed in the front spring. So start there.

Without the shocks the springs should be supple enough to absorb the bumps.

You want the shocks to absorb bounce after the bump (the spring letting go) ie. Like when driving over railway tracks, tne shocks should control the bounce.

Cart springs already have a lot of built in resistance so you don't need to add much with the shocks. I'd only add it on the rebound to control bounce. Let the springs absorb the bump.

Check if the spring leaves are sliding and the shackles spin free etc. as this adds too much resistance.

Thankyou. I will be in Griffith today so I'll purchase some spray on graphite. As it stands now the bounce would be better than the sharp ride I am experiencing.
__________________
I know many things,
But I don't know everything,
Sometimes I forget things.

And there are times when I have a long memory.
woofa.express is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 01:34 PM   #9
Tacoma Bob
Senior Member
 
Tacoma Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Fought this stuff for years and finally removed the "modern" tube shocks and promptly threw them away. Stepped up tall and bought Bill Stipe. (Stipe Machine). I found them to be worth every penny. I'm not an engineer but my opinion is tube shocks beat the hell out of frames and the like. Make sure your shackles and bushings are spot on. Determine that your spring is to spec. Lube it ( I used a combo of slip plate and Kroil) Many have had success screwing around with different rebound and compression rates so good for them. I wasted a lot of time and money and all that went away with Stipe shocks. FWIW
Tacoma Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 01:57 PM   #10
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Are Trucks normally exceptionally rough riding when to spec?


Just checking so I know if I need to address things as posted about cars.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 10:47 PM   #11
Tacoma Bob
Senior Member
 
Tacoma Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by woofa.express View Post
Modern Shock Absorbers.

The ride in my ute was harsh so I removed 2 rear springs leaving 10, the same number as a touring car. I added 4 new shockers, the modern type as I have displayed in the picture.
This has made no difference to the ride andI am disappointed of course and think that I may remove more. One member suggested applying a liquid graphite to the springs, I think that may be a good idea but yet to do it.
How have others found these modern shockers? I welcome all comment, on the shockers, springs and other suggestions.
Thankyou in anticipation. Gary


That is the exact set up I threw away. the only thing of any real quality was the front axle mounts.
Tacoma Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2018, 06:20 AM   #12
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU View Post
Are Trucks normally exceptionally rough riding when to spec?


Just checking so I know if I need to address things as posted about cars.
Yes, if you have the truck empty. 200 pounds located at the rear of the box would help the ride.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2019, 05:30 PM   #13
woofa.express
Senior Member
 
woofa.express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,745
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

I removed the front shockers and get a better rid. I will remove rear ones now and perhaps an additional or maybe 2 rear springs. both the front of the vehicle and the rear do not lie strait. vehicle slightly lower one side. I welcome useful suggestions on how to remedy this.
Hope I got the word lie spelt correctly.
__________________
I know many things,
But I don't know everything,
Sometimes I forget things.

And there are times when I have a long memory.
woofa.express is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2019, 07:33 PM   #14
Res731
Senior Member
 
Res731's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Westlake, ohio
Posts: 107
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

I believe having the tilt is pretty common with older springs. On mine I discovered the rear spring had popped out of the center of the frame , so it leaned worse. The other thing you can try is open the leaves and reverse every other leaf to balance it out.


If the tilt wasn't there earlier, check the hat the springs are centered in the bolt hole.

Rudy
Res731 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2019, 08:22 PM   #15
AL in NY
Senior Member
 
AL in NY's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Upstate New York
Posts: 1,149
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

I had a really stiff ride with my 30 CCPU a few years also, so a sprayed penetrating oil on the front and rear springs. It helped. It was only a temporary fix. So, this spring I decided to fix the hard ride once and for all. I bought a new front spring and a 7 leaf roadster rear spring. Disassembled both springs and painted the contact surfaces with graphite paint and rounded the lower edges of the ends of the individual leaves. My final step was replacing the worn out aftermarket arm style shocks with a set from Bill Stipe. Hard ride problem solved. Be advised that all Model A car styles had the same front leaf spring. Also, you said you removed two leaves from the rear spring. IMO, Softening the ride will be achieved by changing/modifying the rear spring.The Model A 10 leaf truck spring has a thicker main leaf then all the other models. So by removing a couple of leaves, you did make the ride softer. but it's still firmer that a standard 8 leaf spring.
__________________
AL in NY
AL in NY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2019, 11:26 AM   #16
duke36
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,414
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Benson View Post
I was working with a friend about 10 years ago, who had gas tube shocks on a Coupe.

Gas shocks were too stiff. I had a set of low mileage Sears shocks for 1969 VW Type III. Straight oil shocks ... no gas. He liked them better than gas,

I also had a set of Koni adjustable oil shocks for 69 Type III. I do not remember if we tried those on Coupe or not.

Each is individually adjustable for rebound and compression rates ...

Seems these would be worth trying.
Concur or oil filled VW bug shocks. Check the shock parameters to fit the vendors kits. Note that the vendor's tube shocks shown won't fit with front mounted Panhard bars.
duke36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2019, 02:12 PM   #17
woofa.express
Senior Member
 
woofa.express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,745
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by AL in NY View Post
The Model A 10 leaf truck spring has a thicker main leaf then all the other models. So by removing a couple of leaves, you did make the ride softer. but it's still firmer that a standard 8 leaf spring.


Now that's interest ALinNY. One thing I'm not clear about, you say the truck spring has a thicker main spring. Is that truck as in truck or truck as in pickup? cheers, gary
__________________
I know many things,
But I don't know everything,
Sometimes I forget things.

And there are times when I have a long memory.
woofa.express is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2019, 03:48 PM   #18
Lawrie
Senior Member
 
Lawrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,195
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

My 28 ccpu rides better than my new car,so does my 33 and 34.
Heres what I did to fix them all, fit new shackles
take the springs out,strip them ,grind all the burs and grooves out,clean them all,assemble them,starting with the main leaf,hold it by one end in the vice,cover it with a layer of grease,and graphite powder,lay the next leaf on, do the same, until you have the spring assembled,wrap the whole spring in denso tape,make sure the denso tape is not under where the spring mounts to the frame.
this will make it smooth and last for years.
and they all have the stock original shocks fitted,.overhauled of corse
Lawrie
Lawrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2019, 05:03 PM   #19
Hoovercw
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 63
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

I have that setup and hate it. I should be wearing kidney belts driving the thing. I keep thinking I will get used to them, but have not yet. Changing them is on the list but other things are first.
Hoovercw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2019, 01:21 AM   #20
updraught
Senior Member
 
updraught's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,966
Default Re: Modern post manufacture shock absorbers

If you measure the compressed and extended length of those front shocks someone might be able to find one of the VW shocks to fit. The Model T guys seem to use those.

updraught is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 PM.