How common is it to just take the shocks off?

[Bob Bidonde]

The Model A ride is poor and without shocks it's terrible. Put modern telescoping shocks on it if originals are unobtainable.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by WHN

Henry would not have put shocks on the car if they were not needed. Especially the expensive ones he used.

Anyone who has driven or ridden in a Model A with good springs and shocks will really notice the difference.

If the car can’t be fixed properly, it should be left in the garage. In my opinion there are four things that first of all have to be correct.

Brakes!

Front end!

Springs!

Shocks!

Everything else is fluff!

Haze Gray and Underway. Enjoy.

fifth thing on list: cooling system.

[Pamodelaroadster]

Thank you for all the replies, it’s nice to know there are several options. Does anyone re-arch the original springs like it talks about in the manual I have and rebuild the existing pack?

[rotorwrench]

A person that has a good press can re-arch springs but they should find a good procedure to perform the task and have a proper arch profiles drawn on a large piece of cardboard so that each the leaf can be re-shaped to its intended profile.

Keep in mind that fatigue is what causes them to lose there original profile so re-arching one will leave it more susceptible to cracking in the future. Time and extended use takes it's toll on everything eventually.

[jeepguy1948]

Who makes the best bolt on modern shock kit for the rear? The back of my RPU is so light that I'm afraid that I won't be able to get shocks that are not too stiff.

[Colonial coupe]

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I tried the tube shocks on my 28 coupe, the kits come with gas charged shocks that made the car ride so hard that it was rather unpleasant. Sort of like no springs at all. I have decent originals on front but had none on the rear is why I tried the tube shocks. I have some shocks to rebuild but haven't got to that yet. So for now I've installed a set of the offenhauser friction shocks from Speedway, I'm presently suprised at what a great job that the do. Time will tell how well they hold up. From my experience i wouldn't run the tube shocks on something as light as a rpu unless yo plan on hauling fire wood.

[Herb Concord Ca]

Can you post a picture of the rear shocks mounted. What shock arms did you use?
Thanks

[Dick M]

Give John Holland a call. He rebuilds excellent shocks and is very reasonable.

Shock rebuilder: John Holland 330-483-3896
7208 West Law Rd.
Valley City, OH 44280

[jeepguy1948]

I just ordered a pair of friction shocks from Speedway (the friction disc is replaceable) I would really appreciate some pictures of your installation Colonial, I'm having a little difficulty visualizing the install. Thanks!

[GeneBob]

Originally Posted by Colonial coupe

I tried the tube shocks on my 28 coupe, the kits come with gas charged shocks that made the car ride so hard that it was rather unpleasant. Sort of like no springs at all. I have decent originals on front but had none on the rear is why I tried the tube shocks. I have some shocks to rebuild but haven't got to that yet. So for now I've installed a set of the offenhauser friction shocks from Speedway, I'm presently suprised at what a great job that the do. Time will tell how well they hold up. From my experience i wouldn't run the tube shocks on something as light as a rpu unless yo plan on hauling fire wood.

You need to find non-gas charged shocks if you are going with tube shocks. Some of the kits come with gas charged and some come with non-charged. I got rebuilt shocks from John Holland and they are great. When I first got my Tudor, it had no shocks and rusty springs. I replaced the front spring and rebuilt the rear (along with spring paint) and put on the rebuilt shocks. The car rides very well now and takes bumps without any undue excitement.

[GT1929]

1929 Phaeton bought with no shocks, found some old ones managed to get them apart got them working about 50/50 put them on car the difference was great goes over bumps, etc quite well now.

[woofa.express]

I purchased a set of modern telescopic shocks from Snyders for my 28 ute (pickup) and was most disappointed in the ride. I removed them and whilst the ride was still rough it was just slightly better. On my 28 tourer (phaeton) I ride on MGB shocks, that’s a British sports car and they are good.
The biggest load I’ll carry in my ute will be a couple of small kids. I’d like to remove some leaves from the rear spring. I have seen an article on what to remove and what to retain. Whilst I don’t have it at present I’d like to go further because it will never carry a load.
Does any reader have a suggestion. Thankyou (in anticipation), gary.

[BillCNC]

My car came with only 2 frozon shocks. I just about bought the tube shocks, but I went with the original style for 2 reasons.

1) My car looks pretty close to stock, so I wanted to keep it that way.
2) Most Importantly, ... I didn't want to be the guy who drilled holes into an unmolested frame. I'm funny that way.

YES, at the time in 2017, tube shocks were $400 for the set and the originals were $1200. Do I regret the decision? Not a chance, I'm glad I did it, and would gladly do it all over again.

Regards
Bill

[WHN]

Originally Posted by BillCNC

My car came with only 2 frozon shocks. I just about bought the tube shocks, but I went with the original style for 2 reasons.

1) My car looks pretty close to stock, so I wanted to keep it that way.
2) Most Importantly, ... I didn't want to be the guy who drilled holes into an unmolested frame. I'm funny that way.

YES, at the time in 2017, tube shocks were $400 for the set and the originals were $1200. Do I regret the decision? Not a chance, I'm glad I did it, and would gladly do it all over again.

Regards
Bill

Good for you! All the right reasons.

Enjoy.

[Colonial coupe]

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Originally Posted by '28 RPU

I just ordered a pair of friction shocks from Speedway (the friction disc is replaceable) I would really appreciate some pictures of your installation Colonial, I'm having a little difficulty visualizing the install. Thanks!

Sorry but it wouldn't allow me to load more than 2
I made 2 spacers 2" long and 1 5/8" long from heavy wall tubing for each side. Used grade 8 bolts and bent a slight bend in the arm to be sure the nut cleared the body. Very happy so far. Reviews on speedway are pretty good.
Hope this helps.

[Conaway2]

None of the four Model As I’ve owned had shocks on them when I bought the cars, suggesting many A owners did remove the shocks when they either froze up or just stopped working.

Good working shocks make a significant difference in the stability and smoothness of the ride. I have original shocks - rebuilt by John Holland - on both of my cars and am very happy with them.

Good Luck - Jim

[1929]

A while back I purchased a set of 4 shocks from Brattons.

[Gene F]

I have heard the gas charged shocks are terrible too.

[updraught]

Shocks work by trying to force oil via a piston/(vane in the case of a Model A) thru a small hole. The smaller the hole the stiffer they are. It is like trying to force sand thru an hour glass.
https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Tech...ng-Principles/
Gas pressure is added to stop the oil foaming. Foaming causes the shocks to fade as gas can compress. Shock fading is a problem in our outback on poor roads at reasonable speed in hot weather. They can also heat up and burst as they cannot dump heat fast enough.
It may be that gas pressure shocks are made harder? For a Model A with lots of friction between the leaves you won't need hard shocks.

[GT1929]

My Phaeton didn't have any when I got it used to bounce around a bit so I got some old ones that were ok rebuilt them I think to about 50/50 and it made a great difference to the ride and controllability.