Hassler Two Way shock absorbers

[wensum]

I have purchased some Hassler two way shock absorbers to try on the rear on my Model A Speedster
These are friction shock absorbers with a truncated conical friction material inside and adjusted by a large nut that tensions a spring.
There is a grease nipple on the cover and I wonder if anyone has any knowledge of these shocks and if they should be filled with grease?
Many thanks,
Keith (New Zealand)

[J Franklin]

Don't know an answer but they sure look interesting!

[quickchange]

I have a bucket full here, Some had wooden blocks & some had like a brake linning material, No grease ?? RHD has more info ?? But is the spelling correct??

[Mike V. Florida]

Here are the patents;

1586799 filed in 1924

And this one 1646583 filed in 1925

[RHD]

I have restored many Hasslers over the years. Always they have had the wooden cone friction block. There is not a lot to restore a Hassler shock. We made new wooden blocks from a hardwood, filled with grease (wheel bearing grease) assembled with the big nut tight and fitted. The big spring keeps thing tight. They never gave any trouble. Never had to put grease into the grease nipple. The only problem we had was with the different lengths of arms. There appeared to be about 3 lengths. Don't know why. Some of the very early frames had a series of mounting holes. The only reason for this I feel was to mount say a pair of shocks with shorter or longer arms than the pair that were removed. They all worked well, but not as good as the Houdaille shocks. I have the Hassler name plates if anybody wants any. Black on Al, as original.

[Bruce of MN]

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Obviously, it works, but grease in a friction shock absorber seems odd.

[RHD]

I have thought the same about the grease. I suppose without some lubricant there the cone would wear away in no time. Being wood I suppose it has some friction properties, and the big spring keeping constant pressure must do something. We tried making cones out of a modern industrial black plastic which also worked well and never showed any signs of wear.

[wensum]

Thanks guys.
The friction material does appear to be like compressed brake lining material and they came with a few spare cones without the three locating holes.
I still think that if there is a grease nipple on the cover, it would appear that they shpould be full of grease?
There is a soft seal of some sort on the base of the rotating arm, presumabley to keep the grease in?

[wensum]

Hi Les,
I'd be interested in 2 or 3 Hassler name plates, I guess I can find you in the White pages?
Cheers,
Keith

[Roadster62]

I remember the Bugatti GP car shocks had grease fittings for what that may be worth.

[RJ]

Not sure but i think the restore our model a news had a article on these about a year ago?

[fudgeman-999]

Any of those Hassler tags left to sell to aCanadan? Juust found the thread, and have a set to restore. Thanx, Pat S.

[RHD]

Having a hassle with the Hassler tags. Firstly the printer (on metal) lost my copy. Then on finding the copy he just about doubles the price. I was hoping to sell each tag for under $8.00 USD. It costs more than that now to produce them.
I will be (hopefully) having the Canadian Patent data Plates printed at the same time on the same plate to keep costs down. These guys are driving customers away with exorbitant pricing.
I will keep you informed.
Les.

[fundytides]

I just bought a rolling 28-29 Model A chassis and there was one of thse shocks on it. On the right rear and still seems to work well. Regarding the question of different length arms, probably for front vs. rear.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"MAYBE" if you brushed COARSE Valve Grindng Compound between your spring leaves, YOU WULDN'T NEED NO STINKIN' SHOCKS???
Bill W.

[Tudortomnz]

Interesting theory Bill & probably sure Henry contemplated it but in the end he went with using the best shocks available in the era.
I think Ford Canada initially used Hassler shocks [ex late Model T extra] until Spicer Canada could get up to full production with Houdailles.

[Y-Blockhead]

This morning I was perusing some old Model "A" News magazines graciously given to me by a fellow 'Barner', Dick So. Cal. In the September-October 2010 issue there is an article on "The Hassler Canadian Shock Absorber". The article includes photos of a disassembled shock and the wood friction disk.

It states the Hassler Shocks were used in Northern Canada in 1928, because of the cold weather.