Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Hey guys, I wanted to replace the shock links on the rear of my 36 because they where shot and thought it would quiet down some of the noises in the rear of the car. Well it seems the shocks do nothing other than squeak when I push the arm up and down, no resistance. Other than replacing the shock which are too expensive is there any maintenance or rebuild options on these original shocks? Any other options?

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Could try to fill the shock to see if they develop some resistance. There is a rebuilding service but if they are seized or if the shaft wobbles with no resistance they may not be rebuildable.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Yes, I took the shock out, the arm moved full distance but not smoothly, sometime stuck. So I filled it mystery oil and keep moving the arm until it got smooth but there is no resistance. Not sure if jack oil will make it work again.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

You can fix them your self if you have access to a lathe, I have just done 6 shocks from the rear of a 33 and a set from the front.
I replaced the seals with modern O rings and turned the shaft down to get a nice true surface, then( the fidly bit) bored and sleeved the shaft housing, and machined a cavity in it for a modern seal.
Lots of work
Lawrie

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

I'm not that talented, if WD40 doesn't fix it I'm done.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

How should the arm feel on a good working shock? Can you move it freely with your hand with minimal effort or is there suppose to be a lot of resistance like a traditional shock of today? Does it just give resistance in one or both directions?

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

There should be stronger desistance in one direction, and they are adjustable.and temp compensated, quite a good setup considering when they were made.
Lawrie

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

So what is the fluid for, just to lubricate the moving parts or is there some kind of hydraulics going on? What do you recommend for fluid? Anyone have a picture of the inside of one of these so I can better understand how they work? Adjustable? How?

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Yours are non adjustable. Typically the adjuster is in the center of the square main shaft and operates a needle valve inside. The shocks are hydraulic. The MMO is a good starting point to see if they will function if they are empty. You may be able to find an old can of the Ford fluid or try the hydraulic jack fluid. If your shocks have been empty and make noise expect the main shaft seal to fail, which is most likely how the original fluid escaped. You can find some information in Ford Service Bulletins.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Send them to Andy for a rebuild he’s in MA.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263136

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

So I left the mystery oil in overnight the arm moves very smoothly in both directions and no oil leaked out. I plan to get some jack oil fill and flush and see if I get any resistance. I'm assuming and hoping that mystery oil would not work as a hydraulic agent that way there is no resistance, unless what ever makes this thing tick is completely stuck inside.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

No difference with jack fluid and the one on the other side is pretty much frozen solid, now what? I send an email to Andy Shox see what he has to say.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

So its seems I need to buy or have my shocks rebuilt. Has anyone dealt with Apple Hydraulics? Or can recommend some other company that sells or rebuilds these Houdaille lever shocks. I saw at one time there was a conversion to use tube shocks, I would do that but I can't find the kit anymore.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Some people on here have had a poor experience with Apple, search shock rebuild in this forum, for more options. I thought about tube shocks for my car, but realized original would be easier.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Yes, I saw a lot of negative comments on Apple. I did send an email to Andrew Falandes that I saw in post from 10 years ago, no response yet. Just wondering if there is something else out there that might work. My car is not a museum piece just a fun driver and I do not need it to be completely pure. Ca't find any Delco Lovejoy either. Right now I'm driving with no rear shocks, I can say one thing all the rear rattles and noises went away but a scary ride.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

I bought a rebuilt pair from ThirdGenAuto and they are just fine.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

I will cal Mike at third gen - how much $$

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Sent you a PM.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

I had Andy rebuild my 36 shocks, cost me about $300, can't wait to get them back in.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Rear shocks from a MGB will bolt on but you need a panhard rod to stop them touching the tyres.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Stay way from Apple! Yikes!

Andy is a good, honest fellow that does great work, rapidly and at a fair price.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Make sure you have the proper 36 rear shocks before sending them out for rebuild. Over the years many things get changed.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Andy rebuilt mine last Fall and the ride is greatly improved. Not cheap, but it is a lot of work and takes special tools and skills.

You get stiff resistance in both directions. The resistance comes from the shock fluid being forced through an orifice as the arm moves. If you get no resistance with MMO, you will not get any with jack oil.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

I reviewed the pix you attached in #1 of this thread, the shock shown in the pix is missing the adjuster that all '36 shocks had.
The rear lever shocks on my 36 are original to the car. I added the tube shocks in the mid 1950's to improve handling at highway speeds.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Check with:

Andrew Falandes
789 Tea St.
Charlemont, MA. 01339
(413)768-8487
[email protected]

He can rebuild yours or build and send you some outright. If he rebuilds yours it's probably a few weeks depending on his schedule, or he can build you a set from his stash quicker. Reach out to him for pricing.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

The V8 club classified has a recent ad from Bill C. He has a pair of 35-36 adjustable rear shocks for sale. Send him an email I am not sure of the condition but they look good in photos.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Once I read someplace that there were adjustable and non adjustable shocks for the 36. Who knows after 85 years they could have been replaced. They are all rebuilt now I just need to pop them in.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Finally got my rear shocks and new links installed yesterday, took her for a ride, WOW what a difference in the ride and everything is nice and quiet.

Re: Rear shocks on a 1936 fordor
 

Andy learned from the guy who learned from the guy. This is the business originally owned by Louie Trinque, who rebuilt thousands of these. Bill Wzorek apprenticed under Louie when he took over the business and due to health reasons he had to sell and he trained Andy.
I'm glad to hear you were satisfied and it is testimonial to restoring good original parts to experience the original ride of these cars.