New Shocks vs Rebuilt Shocks

[CatMan1]

All 4 shocks on my '28 Sport Coupe are leaking and over winter are probably now dry. I'm wondering if it's a giant pain to rebuild these or should i buy new? I have no machining tools so if that's required I know my answer. Maybe someone rebuilds them?

[Bob Bidonde]

I have 1600 miles on a professionally rebuilt set of original Houdaille shocks. All four leak and often need replenishing of their fluid!
The Houdaille shock absorber has a poor seal design, and once they start leaking, the Houdaille shocks become non-functional decorations. If you use your Model "A" mostly for driving / touring, I suggest using one of the telescoping type shock kits available from dealers.
I do not have any first hand experience with Stipe's reproduction of Houdaille shocks, so maybe his shocks perform better than the originals, and do not leak.

[1930artdeco]

I have two prof. rebuilds and two I did. Mine leak but the prof. ones don't-go figure. Many miles on both.

Mike

[MrBruce]

Look up Brentwood Bob on this forum, he does shocks and they are good.

[Bob-A]

I have had a set of Stipe repop shocks on my roadster for years. They work great and do not leak.


Bob-A


"Skirts are for Women not Car Fenders"

[Brentwood Bob]

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Look in the May-June Restorer (model A Ford Club) for sale ads.
I have sets forsale now.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...uilding+shocks
Should give you an explaination of the rebuilding process.
If you have the ability, and the time, use the search function , upper right.
You will find past discussions on this topic. Kind of like what oil to use.

[Brentwood Bob]

And if you want to learn more, steve plucker developed this reference which covers many sources on the shock, and how to rebuild same.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118682

[ronn]

some battles arent worth taking on............

[Brentwood Bob]

......

[nkaminar]

Rebuilding the shocks yourself requires some specialized tooling and some machining. The best way to hold the shocks when opening them up is a cast concrete block with bolts cast into them. Unless you have a burning desire to do the work yourself, it is best left to the professionals.

I just put the modern tubular shocks on my Fordor. I bought them from Snyders. They work good and the current version of the brackets are strong enough. The shocks are a little stiff in the front but not so much to be a problem. The car handles well with the modern shocks. If you are not concerned about being 100% original and just want to drive the car then this is something to consider.

[JayJay]

I attempted to rebuild the shocks for my ‘30 Town Sedan and it was a humbling failure - they leaked like sieves. I sent them to Brentwood Bob and he rebuilt them for me. Smooth action, they look great. I haven’t installed them yet but so far no sign of leaks.

[Oldbluoval]

I’ve rebuilt shocks in the past. Fairly successfully…not always
You have to start with something decent to end up with something decent.