The Ford Barn

inex01 · 10-23-2015, 04:22 AM

Well I finally figured out the reason my front suspension was so darn stiff. The problem was the lever action shocks. I installed all new front end suspension components about three years ago including the front spring. After all was back together the car drove so much better but the car had such stiff suspension which I was thinking was normal. Well my front steel fenders were developing stress cracks and when I discussed with my car buddies we thought my front shackles were binding, I checked them and no binds, but what I did find is my shock arms only had 2" of upward travel so I had practically no travel. What was the problem with the shock? NOTHING! "DUMMY ME" installed them on the wrong side. The lever action shocks have full travel in only one direction! so I swapped and all is now well, the car rides so much better I just can not believe it is the same car. So just wanted to share this in case someone out there has a similar problem.

Mike V. Florida · 10-23-2015, 04:44 AM

Without manure flowers would not grow!

Floats · 10-23-2015, 12:00 PM

Hi Chuck,
How would you know which is which, are they marked L or R?
I have a restored set in a box waiting for me.

inex01 · 10-23-2015, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floats

Hi Chuck,
How would you know which is which, are they marked L or R?
I have a restored set in a box waiting for me.

The way to ID it is the plug where you would add fluid is on the top, and the travel of the actuator arm that connects the shock to the suspension should have the greatest travel up towards the bottom of the fender

Floats · 10-23-2015, 12:31 PM

Thanks Chuck,
Yep, now I remember the filler plug.
Thanks, have a great weekend.

mshmodela · 10-23-2015, 02:02 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

~4:12 in to my video is Bill Stipe's drawing... if that helps (worked my me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGwz6kafn3A

FWIW, My 31' rides now nicer than my Mrs. 2010 Kia Soul... I get to do a brake job on that soon...

harleytoprock · 10-23-2015, 02:21 PM

So, the filler plug was facing down? I'm sure many times, in the last 85 years, people have had the shock sides reversed.

10-23-2015, 04:22 AM	#1
inex01 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 350	Stiff Front Suspension Well I finally figured out the reason my front suspension was so darn stiff. The problem was the lever action shocks. I installed all new front end suspension components about three years ago including the front spring. After all was back together the car drove so much better but the car had such stiff suspension which I was thinking was normal. Well my front steel fenders were developing stress cracks and when I discussed with my car buddies we thought my front shackles were binding, I checked them and no binds, but what I did find is my shock arms only had 2" of upward travel so I had practically no travel. What was the problem with the shock? NOTHING! "DUMMY ME" installed them on the wrong side. The lever action shocks have full travel in only one direction! so I swapped and all is now well, the car rides so much better I just can not believe it is the same car. So just wanted to share this in case someone out there has a similar problem. __________________ Chuck McDonald, Member of AACA, Model A Club, NRA Last edited by inex01; 10-23-2015 at 04:44 AM.

10-23-2015, 04:44 AM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Stiff Front Suspension Without manure flowers would not grow! __________________ 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

10-23-2015, 12:00 PM	#3
Floats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town Posts: 530	Re: Stiff Front Suspension Hi Chuck, How would you know which is which, are they marked L or R? I have a restored set in a box waiting for me. __________________ Regards Chris Cape Town 28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC

10-23-2015, 12:31 PM	#5
Floats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town Posts: 530	Re: Stiff Front Suspension Thanks Chuck, Yep, now I remember the filler plug. Thanks, have a great weekend. __________________ Regards Chris Cape Town 28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC

10-23-2015, 02:02 PM	#6
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Stiff Front Suspension Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) ~4:12 in to my video is Bill Stipe's drawing... if that helps (worked my me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGwz6kafn3A FWIW, My 31' rides now nicer than my Mrs. 2010 Kia Soul... I get to do a brake job on that soon... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

10-23-2015, 02:21 PM	#7
harleytoprock Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 438	Re: Stiff Front Suspension So, the filler plug was facing down? I'm sure many times, in the last 85 years, people have had the shock sides reversed.