Reproduction Shock Absorbers

[Steve Plucker]

How many different types of reproduction Model A Ford shock absorbers have been reproduced over the years?

How can one distinguish one type from the other?

Are any better than the others?

Thanks.

Pluck

[Mike Peters]

I have set made by Rick's Model A parts back in the 90's. Brass housing and leak oil like a sieve.

[Benson]

I have a set of shocks that I bought new in the 70s or 80s.


I will have to look at them again to tell you of any markings.


Weather went cold on us here so it might be a while.


As I remember the patent info mentions Chicago, Ill

[Gene F]

They never last. I switched my A over to the oil filled tube shocks that the late RainmakerRon (Ron Cloat) sold. I am not sorry one bit. But then again, I drive my A. Some people are purists, but they tend to be the ones that only drive 50 - 70 miles a year.

[Bob Bidonde]

I have a set of repro Houdailles on my Coupe made by Pete of Chicago. They have been on the car since the 1980s, but I had to fill them with a high viscosity oil to compensate for wear. These shocks will be replaced by modern telescoping shocks.

[Mike Peters]

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Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

I have a set of repro Houdailles on my Coupe made by Pete of Chicago. They have been on the car since the 1980s, but I had to fill them with a high viscosity oil to compensate for wear. These shocks will be replaced by modern telescoping shocks.

I misspoke. The shocks I was referring to were also made by Pete of Chicago. Not Rick. He was also known as "Pete the Vendor". Sorry for confusion.

[rocket1]

Bought a set in the early eighties from a Hershey vendor in the blue field he had a small stand do not know who made them.

[700rpm]

Pluck, I don’t know about “over the years”, but I put a set of Stipes on my coupe five years ago and they are great! I also had a set of rebuilds from John Holland (if I remember that name correctly — it was over ten years ago) on my pickup and they were also perfect.

[Ed in Maine]

I also have a set of Stipes on my 1932 Coupe and love them. No leaks. Ed

[jak]

Currently you have three different companies making reproduction shocks
Bratton's
Stipe
Snyder

In the past you had at least these two
Pete's
M&S Hydraulic

[arnhemmer]

Stipes, no problems whatsoever.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by jak

Currently you have three different companies making reproduction shocks
Bratton's
Stipe
Snyder

In the past you had at least these two
Pete's
M&S Hydraulic

Thanks Jeff,

So to ID each one of those...what would be the tell-tale signs of each?

The four that I have , have the two Patent numbers on top then below those numbers it says Hydrolic Suspension on the face of the cap.

Thanks.

Pluck

[WHN]

In the early 80’s I purchased a set of shocks from Mac’s. They were made by Superior. Almost 40 years and fingers crossed, not problems. They look and are marked like originals.

Enjoy.

[Benson]

I spoke to Steve Becker.


Pete Busiac made shocks from the late 70s until 1988.


They say Chicago, ILL as opposed to originals which say Buffalo NY.


Steve said some of these had brass housings and worked quite well for awhile BUT wore out after some usage and started to leak.

[KR500]

Steve, If you watch the DVD Alex Janke did on shocks he gives a fairly good history of who were the players in the repro shock game. Interesting he mentions Ford paid $1.00 each for the Houdaille shock and attachments for the A.

[Dan Partain]

I'm posting this for Pluck.

I would like to know just what type or brand it is...I got four of these.

Thanks.

Pluck