Houdaille (who'-dye) shock history

[Sixseven]

I ran across an interesting article on Houdaille Industries. The article is more about the problem of leveraged buy-outs, but they used this company as an example and gave a bit of its' history which is the interesting part. Link:

http://www.washingtondecoded.com/sit...reilly_re.html

"Houdaille Industries, took its name from Maurice Houdaille, the Frenchman who invented recoilless artillery during World War I. After the war, a U.S. corporation bought the name and the rights to the rotary shock absorber Houdaille patented. By the 1930s, Houdaille Industries was one of the largest auto-parts subcontractors in Detroit and the premier U.S. manufacturer of shock absorbers. It was not unusual for a car owner to walk into a garage and ask for a new set of “Houdailles.”"

[Terry,OH]

I read an interesting article regarding Columbial Alxe Co. along the same lines as your article. In business from near the turn of the century, Run by local politician in the mid 20's, then taken over, and later (late 40's ) with one wrong business decision (to purchase too many new machines with too much of it's capitol), run into the ground. Finally taken over by Auburn.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

I read an interesting article regarding Columbial Alxe Co. along the same lines as your article. In business from near the turn of the century, Run by local politician in the mid 20's, then taken over, and later (late 40's ) with one wrong business decision (to purchase too many new machines with too much of it's capitol), run into the ground. Finally taken over by Auburn.

Hey Terry, I had also ready an article or two in regard to the Columbia Axle Co. It appears that the introduction of the "new & improved" controls in 1946(?) also played a significant role in the companies demise.
Apparently, while attempting to compete with Borg, new & improved controls were felt a necessity by Columbia. Too bad the "new & improved" were much more complicated in design and production cost and subsequently much more troublesome that the previous design.

[trainguy]

I have seen Houdaille shocks on old railroad passenger cars,they looked like Ford shocks on steroids! phil

[dick lyons]

on this subject, why does my 48 coupe have these shocks instead of tube shocks?? I thought by 1948 all fords would have tubes?

[BILL WZOREK]

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Dick Lyons:

48 was the last year for Houdallie / I dont know if Tube shock was a extra add on or If it were cheaper on the over all price........

SixSeven:
Thanks for that link, I always wondered what happen to HOUDAILLE /

In there Hay Day they were producing 200 shocks PER HOUR / think about what it took to be able to do that then. RAW material in one door and PRODUCT out the other door, Day in & Day out.

[dick lyons]

Bill, thanks for the reply. I looked ata 47 2 dr. for sale in my area on sat. and it has tube shocks. old henry has em, so I thougt what the heck! BUT REALLY, IS ONE TYPE BETTER THAN THE OTHER? YOU ARE THE GURU ON THESE SO GIVE US SOME INPUT. THANKS, DICK.

[BILL WZOREK]

HOUDALLIE shock work in Both directions / If the cost to produce them never entered in to the factor they may have been used much longer.

IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE $$$$$$

[Kube]

Originally Posted by dick lyons

Bill, thanks for the reply. I looked ata 47 2 dr. for sale in my area on sat. and it has tube shocks. old henry has em, so I thougt what the heck! BUT REALLY, IS ONE TYPE BETTER THAN THE OTHER? YOU ARE THE GURU ON THESE SO GIVE US SOME INPUT. THANKS, DICK.

Dick, The 1947 models saw the change over begin. Supposedly, all 48's were to have tube shocks. However, in reality, some 48's did leave the factory with Houdaille shocks.
Keep in mind that numerous conversions were done through the years to these cars. Many years ago, the conversion was very cost effective vs. replacing the lever arm shocks.
Tube shocks will offer a better and more stable ride than the lever-arm type shocks. Especially considering the modern technologies available (gas filled, etc.).

[BILL WZOREK]

Kube Did Gas filled shocks enter into the picture Back in 47 /48 ??

[Kube]

Originally Posted by BILL WZOREK

Kube Did Gas filled shocks enter into the picture Back in 47 /48 ??

Oh sure

I did say "modern technologies..."

[dick lyons]

I can see this thread going SHOCKINGLY farther. I had a 46 merc coupe a few years ago that the p.o. had installed pete and jakes conversion kit on and it handled like independent front suspension. it rode really nice. Keep it coming, guys.

[rotorwrench]

The Bell 47 helicopters used Houdaille dampers on their M/R control stabilizer bars right up to the end of production in 1973. Those units were very well made and easilly repaired & overhauled. When problems with security of the stabilizer bar started showing up, most operators removed them and installed no bar kits but that makes the flight controls very sensitive like more modern machines are. The old Bell 47s were one of the easiest helicopters to fly that was ever built. Hell, I can even fly one of those old turds and I'm not even a pilot.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The Bell 47 helicopter...Hell, I can even fly one of those old turds and I'm not even a pilot.

You old enough to remember watching Whirlybirds every week? DD

[paul2748]

The so called "Private Equity Investors" are pretty much the scum of the earth. They do LBO's, pulling all the cash out of the business for themselves and in most cases the companies cannot service the debt, start selling off assets and eventually go bankrupt leaving suppliers and employees holding the bag.

[BILL WZOREK]

I may get MUD & STONES thrown at me but / Not all of Henry Fords deals were above the ethic board. a lot of people lost many a job and some of his take overs were far for great for everybody.
But because we are on the receiving end of having great old cars for our hobby the ruefulness ( it's spelled correct just dont know if that is the correct word ) part of Henry & the business world is somehow over looked.
I enjoy looking at the history part of things to try to understand how we got to where we are in most cases it's the almighty $$$$$$$$ that drives the changes.
We all put on blinders so that we can only see the end goal,Take a moment and take the blinders off and look down at your feet are these the people that we want to crush & hurt to get us to our goal { it's true in life & some forums } ????????

[Kube]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

You old enough to remember watching Whirlybirds every week? DD

Oh man! This brings back memories!!! I guess that makes me "old enough".

[Sixseven]

Another website with Houdaille shock history.

http://web.archive.org/web/200908300...205/hhist.html

This site also describes how they function.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by BILL WZOREK

I may get MUD & STONES thrown at me but / Not all of Henry Fords deals were above the ethic board. a lot of people lost many a job and some of his take overs were far for great for everybody.
But because we are on the receiving end of having great old cars for our hobby the ruefulness ( it's spelled correct just dont know if that is the correct word ) part of Henry & the business world is somehow over looked.
I enjoy looking at the history part of things to try to understand how we got to where we are in most cases it's the almighty $$$$$$$$ that drives the changes.
We all put on blinders so that we can only see the end goal,Take a moment and take the blinders off and look down at your feet are these the people that we want to crush & hurt to get us to our goal { it's true in life & some forums } ????????

Bill, I see you've been doing a bit of reading!

[BILL WZOREK]

Morning Alan:

Some say I should not Care : But only Care how 's your car running / But How are you two Doing???