|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
02-14-2016, 02:28 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Amana IA
Posts: 527
|
Vendor Shock Absorbers
Our club held its monthly tech session yesterday on Model A shock absorbers. One of our very knowledgeable members conducted it. He usually uses one of the handful of rebuilders in the country, as this method has been most cost effective, and the rebuilder he used most did a very quality job.
Of course we know you can buy new manufactured shocks; ie. Stipe, Brattons, Snyders, etc. Recently, there has been a persistent rumor that the shocks sold by Brattons and Snyders when subjected to a very severe bump; the insides break. Now, this is strictly a rumor. Currently none of our club members are using vendor sold shocks (only Stipe or rebuilt at present). So, since we do not have first hand knowledge of said shocks; I was wondering that those Model A owners who do could tell the rest of us their personal experience with them. Personally, I would not hesitate to buy and use the vendor shocks; our vendors available to the Model A hobby do sell and service with quality. I look forward to comments, and will forward said information to club members. Thanks,
__________________
Ron/IA 1929 Fordor Steelback Hawk A Model A Ford Club http://hawkamodelaclub.org/ |
02-14-2016, 02:44 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Not fair!
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
02-14-2016, 03:31 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,763
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
I cannot comment on rumors... However, my Stipe shocks thus far did well in the Cleveland Pot/Chuck hole streets of Cleveland...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGwz6kafn3A I would imaging that if a part sold by Snyder's failed due to a manufactured flaw, I would highly think Don myself would make it "GOOD" as he has done for me on one part.
__________________
-Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio Last edited by mshmodela; 02-14-2016 at 03:43 PM. |
02-14-2016, 03:43 PM | #4 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto.
Posts: 5,800
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
I personally do not believe we should comment on rumours that may well be unfounded. I think you have done a grave injustice to both vendors. If you have no proof, why even mention it ? A very unfair post. Wayne
Last edited by C26Pinelake; 02-14-2016 at 04:08 PM. |
02-14-2016, 03:54 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 1,578
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
I plan to get shocks for my pickup.
I called Bratton's and asked them if the shocks they sell were to fail after the one year warranty, would they be repairable? They said that they have sold over 500 ( don't know if that is sets or individual units) and none have come back. They also said that they would "work with me" if one failed after the warranty. As Stipe shocks are not currently available options are limited.... I will probably buy Bratton's when the time comes.
__________________
Early '29 CCPU that had a 4-speed, but not any more.......in the family since '62 |
02-14-2016, 04:21 PM | #6 | |
BANNED
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: East Central Iowa
Posts: 1,275
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
I tell you all this because John Holland just sent me four rebuilt shocks for my 30 CCPU. Wonderful job. I recommend John very highly.. John is one of two in the Country with a stellar reputation. Larry
__________________
Good enough.. Isn't. |
|
02-14-2016, 06:11 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,391
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Ron/IA: In order to put the rumors to rest (or confirm) have you contacted either Bratton's or Snyder's and asked??
Paul in CT |
02-14-2016, 06:11 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,223
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
I put a set of new replacement shocks on my 28 A about 15 yrs back,they only did about 5000klms then stopped working,
I took them all off and just put them in a bin. This last few months I made some tooling to disassemble the V8 shocks for my V8,s and having got them all working great decided to look at the old model A ones. in a word they were cr-p. cast iron shafts,not machined in side just as cast,no way of refilling or make up oil getting into the chamber,no difference in the damping (compression or rebound). They look good on the outside but not inside. I also repaired some V8 ones for a mate and two of them were repos,these too had a cast iron shafts that broke when I disassembled it. No where near the quality of the originals Lawrie |
02-14-2016, 08:18 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 182
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
What kind of tools did you make?
I made a tool this weekend but not sure if it works or not. It is a band that clamps around a shock and as you turn it, it clamps tighter sort of like an oil filter tool. |
02-14-2016, 09:26 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,223
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
The tools were for pulling the v8 ones apart,the A ones just need a strap tool and a punch to loosen the lock ring.
The V8 ones take a lot more effort . Lawrie |
02-15-2016, 01:58 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,848
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
This seems to be the first of any mention of problems with either shock on The Ford Barn. From what I understand the Brattons and Snyders are from different sources. I wonder what the chances are that they would have the same type of failure??
|
02-15-2016, 02:27 AM | #12 | |
Senior Member
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Quote:
Rumors with no basis in fact and without a single first hand report is not fair to the vendors.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
|
02-15-2016, 09:21 PM | #13 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto.
Posts: 5,800
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Have you found any facts to support this unfair accusation ? Wayne
Last edited by C26Pinelake; 02-16-2016 at 05:49 PM. |
02-24-2016, 10:24 AM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 33
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
The failures that are being reported came about from the shocks that were manufactured by M&S Hydraulics. We didn't always have that problem with the M&S shocks, it only came about within the last 5 years of when we used to handle them. We probably had 5 or so that failed like that. Our biggest problem with the M&S shocks was oil leaks. Our first batch of shocks arrived in early 2015. We have sold close to 400 of these shocks since that time and have not had any returned. Our shocks are fully adjustable and use the same oil reservoir as they did originally. Our shocks are not the same shocks that Bratton is selling. Thank You, Don Snyder
|
02-24-2016, 10:41 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 409
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Has anybody seen how long original shocks worked? There is kind of an unspoken idea that they are better quality but they seem to be a high maintenance poor design based on what came later.
|
02-24-2016, 10:51 AM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,532
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Quote:
Originally, shocks were filled with Glycerin. Glycerin can absorb water, ...and if something wasn't properly maintenance, it failed. I know of many original shock absorbers that are still within factory specifications (i.e.: not worn out!!) that work well with oil of the same viscosity substituted for the Glycerin. They would still work satisfactory if Glycerin were used instead but the oil is likely an improvement for those who are unwilling to keep up their maintenance. |
|
02-24-2016, 10:55 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 267
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
I just installed a set of Bratton's shocks. When I ordered, they told me Bratton's manufacture them. (their name is engraved where the Ford logo is on the originals)
With the mild weather here in the northeast last weekend I had a chance to take them out for a test drive. They were a dramatic improvement over the existing originals. Those of course were essentially not working at all. And two of them were not rebuildable. I've only got about 50 miles or so on them so far, so time will tell! |
02-24-2016, 11:06 AM | #18 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 409
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Quote:
|
|
02-24-2016, 11:25 AM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Reseda, Calif.
Posts: 2,188
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Quote:
|
|
02-24-2016, 02:06 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Vendor Shock Absorbers
Yes, what Brent said.
I have a good working set of 4 numbered shocks for my 1928, but before I install them I will drain and flush whatever is in them and use oil. |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|