The Ford Barn

Fred K-OR · 10-15-2011, 11:40 PM

How do you know if your shock absorbers need adjustment? If they do need adjustment, how do you go about it or is there a place where a person can read up on this subject?

Thanks for the help.

Kurt in NJ · 10-16-2011, 02:46 AM

In the service bulletins on page 538 they show how to test on the car. I have never held the tool but to me it looks like about a 10 pound weight at the end of a bar about the length to go just beyond the bumper --it says about 1 min in winter temps, 15 1/2 seconds in the summer to travel 23 degrees.

Fred K-OR · 10-16-2011, 02:46 PM

Thanks Kurt. I will take a look at that.

LukeDahlinger · 10-16-2011, 03:25 PM

Some of the reproductions are non adjustable. Do you know for sure if they're original?

Kevin in NJ · 10-16-2011, 03:45 PM

Let us go to basics.

Pull the link off.

Try to move the arm.
If it moves easy then tighten the adjuster. If still loose then you have problem.

Should be very hard to move and noticeably harder in one direction.

Many rebuilds and aftermarket units have issues.

RHD · 10-16-2011, 04:12 PM

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Kevin.
That's exactly what I do. Never failed me in 46 years. Mine being a 30 does not have the pointer on the shaft and the numbers on the arm which are a great help. Pity Ford did not keep them.
You should have a lot of resistance in the downward direction and very little upwards. When the adjuster on a good shock is fully closed, it should be next to impossible to quickly move the arm down.
A friend of mine here builds complete new shocks if anybody is interested. The only difference is there is no writing on the cover. They work well.

glenn in camino · 10-16-2011, 07:44 PM

Years ago I bought a set of repo shocks and had a shock rebuilder replace the covers with originals.

Richard Lorenz · 10-16-2011, 07:48 PM

If you don't have plenty of resistance, try putting in heavier oil or even gear oil. Don't forget to turn the needle in, but most of them are stuck.

Bill in Al · 10-17-2011, 08:40 PM

Used 3/4 hydraulic fluid and 1/4 STP mixed and that works good.

Fred K-OR · 10-19-2011, 05:07 PM

Thanks guys. Will give some of these ideas a try.

10-15-2011, 11:40 PM	#1
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? How do you know if your shock absorbers need adjustment? If they do need adjustment, how do you go about it or is there a place where a person can read up on this subject? Thanks for the help. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

10-16-2011, 02:46 AM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,173	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? In the service bulletins on page 538 they show how to test on the car. I have never held the tool but to me it looks like about a 10 pound weight at the end of a bar about the length to go just beyond the bumper --it says about 1 min in winter temps, 15 1/2 seconds in the summer to travel 23 degrees.

10-16-2011, 02:46 PM	#3
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Thanks Kurt. I will take a look at that. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

10-16-2011, 03:25 PM	#4
LukeDahlinger BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 956	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Some of the reproductions are non adjustable. Do you know for sure if they're original? __________________ Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com

10-16-2011, 03:45 PM	#5
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Let us go to basics. Pull the link off. Try to move the arm. If it moves easy then tighten the adjuster. If still loose then you have problem. Should be very hard to move and noticeably harder in one direction. Many rebuilds and aftermarket units have issues.

10-16-2011, 04:12 PM	#6
RHD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 670	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Kevin. That's exactly what I do. Never failed me in 46 years. Mine being a 30 does not have the pointer on the shaft and the numbers on the arm which are a great help. Pity Ford did not keep them. You should have a lot of resistance in the downward direction and very little upwards. When the adjuster on a good shock is fully closed, it should be next to impossible to quickly move the arm down. A friend of mine here builds complete new shocks if anybody is interested. The only difference is there is no writing on the cover. They work well. __________________ R.H.D. Author of Model 'A' Ford technical manuals. Supplier of good original RHD parts.

10-16-2011, 07:44 PM	#7
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Years ago I bought a set of repo shocks and had a shock rebuilder replace the covers with originals.

10-16-2011, 07:48 PM	#8
Richard Lorenz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 447	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? If you don't have plenty of resistance, try putting in heavier oil or even gear oil. Don't forget to turn the needle in, but most of them are stuck.

10-17-2011, 08:40 PM	#9
Bill in Al Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pell City (New London) Al Posts: 317	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Used 3/4 hydraulic fluid and 1/4 STP mixed and that works good.

10-19-2011, 05:07 PM	#10
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: How to adjust Model A shock absorbers?? Thanks guys. Will give some of these ideas a try. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster