The Ford Barn

H. L. Chauvin · 09-28-2014, 02:19 AM

1. This shock adjusting subject is often discussed on Model A Forums, & shock adjustment recommendations are offered in modern repair books as well as that of a few individuals formerly relating how they attempted to adjust their own shocks.

2. If anyone has faith in the Ford Service Bulletins & in the K.R. Wilson tool indicated in Figures 1097, 1099 & 1100, in the February 1931 Model A Ford Service Bulletins, I seriously doubt if all shock rebuilders actually test their shocks with a tool that closely resembles this tool & doubt if their rebuilt shocks can pass this Ford recommended test.

3. FWIW, I contacted Mr. Tim Wilson with the website www.krwilsontools.com who was very cooperative in furnishing details for this K. R. Wilson tool.

4. He sent a drawing & confirmed by email that the weight on the end of this 1931 K. R. Wilson tool is exactly three (3) pound & 5.80 ounces, or 53.80 ounces.

5. The distance from the center of the square shock lug to the center of the weight is exactly 26-1/2" which determines the foot-pounds of torque provided with the weight on this K.R. Wilson tool.

6. I made a tool like the one shown in the Ford Bulletin with 1/4" x 1" flat bar bolted to an actual Model A shock arm, & with a gram scale, used a steel pipe nipple & (2) pipe flanges to obtain exactly 53.8 ounces for the weight 26-1/2" from the square shock lug.

7. The weight is suppose to travel 23 degrees downward in 15.5 seconds in summer temperatures & travel 23 degrees downwards in 58 seconds in winter temperatures.

8. Unless I can find a shock rebuilder who claims that he actually tests his rebuilt shocks with this K.R. Wilson tool, or one that is similar, I am in no mood to try to have shocks rebuilt again.

9. Out of the (4) I tested, one (1) passed & three (3) failed miserably after dropping 23 degrees in about from (2) - (4) seconds with the shock adjustment bolt turned as tightly as it can be tightened. All were filled with thick recommended shock oil sold by vendors.

10. On all four (4) shocks I noticed a good bit of resistance traveling upwards, but they dropped very rapidly with very little resistance.

11. The one that passed the test was very sensitive in that one-thirty-second of a turn made a tremendous difference in the amount of seconds that it dropped.

12. Just sharing an experience. Glad I called Mr. Stipe earlier this week who is still taking orders for his new shocks which should arrive January/February 2015.

09-28-2014, 02:19 AM	#1
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	K. R. Wilson Testing & Adjusting Rebuilt Shocks 1. This shock adjusting subject is often discussed on Model A Forums, & shock adjustment recommendations are offered in modern repair books as well as that of a few individuals formerly relating how they attempted to adjust their own shocks. 2. If anyone has faith in the Ford Service Bulletins & in the K.R. Wilson tool indicated in Figures 1097, 1099 & 1100, in the February 1931 Model A Ford Service Bulletins, I seriously doubt if all shock rebuilders actually test their shocks with a tool that closely resembles this tool & doubt if their rebuilt shocks can pass this Ford recommended test. 3. FWIW, I contacted Mr. Tim Wilson with the website www.krwilsontools.com who was very cooperative in furnishing details for this K. R. Wilson tool. 4. He sent a drawing & confirmed by email that the weight on the end of this 1931 K. R. Wilson tool is exactly three (3) pound & 5.80 ounces, or 53.80 ounces. 5. The distance from the center of the square shock lug to the center of the weight is exactly 26-1/2" which determines the foot-pounds of torque provided with the weight on this K.R. Wilson tool. 6. I made a tool like the one shown in the Ford Bulletin with 1/4" x 1" flat bar bolted to an actual Model A shock arm, & with a gram scale, used a steel pipe nipple & (2) pipe flanges to obtain exactly 53.8 ounces for the weight 26-1/2" from the square shock lug. 7. The weight is suppose to travel 23 degrees downward in 15.5 seconds in summer temperatures & travel 23 degrees downwards in 58 seconds in winter temperatures. 8. Unless I can find a shock rebuilder who claims that he actually tests his rebuilt shocks with this K.R. Wilson tool, or one that is similar, I am in no mood to try to have shocks rebuilt again. 9. Out of the (4) I tested, one (1) passed & three (3) failed miserably after dropping 23 degrees in about from (2) - (4) seconds with the shock adjustment bolt turned as tightly as it can be tightened. All were filled with thick recommended shock oil sold by vendors. 10. On all four (4) shocks I noticed a good bit of resistance traveling upwards, but they dropped very rapidly with very little resistance. 11. The one that passed the test was very sensitive in that one-thirty-second of a turn made a tremendous difference in the amount of seconds that it dropped. 12. Just sharing an experience. Glad I called Mr. Stipe earlier this week who is still taking orders for his new shocks which should arrive January/February 2015.