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06-19-2023, 02:37 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Palmerston North New Zealand
Posts: 12
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Model A Shocks.
Any recommendations for what fluid to use in my shock absorbers? And maybe also, what NOT to use?
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06-19-2023, 05:46 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,372
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Re: Model A Shocks.
What shocks do you have? Original, stipe, apple ??
Are they dry now? If wet, can u determine what’s in them now? |
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06-19-2023, 10:12 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
Posts: 4,246
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Functional, do they work now, do they leak, are they dry?
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06-19-2023, 10:16 AM | #4 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18
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Re: Model A Shocks.
most of the parts houses carry a shock oil that is pretty similar to hydraulic jack oil. Most are ISO 32 to ISO 64.
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06-19-2023, 04:11 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,897
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Ford changed the oil in the middle of the production. Clean out the shocks and use the oil supplied by our friends, the usual vendors.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
06-20-2023, 02:07 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Palmerston North New Zealand
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Re: Model A Shocks.
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06-20-2023, 05:45 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Stoneboro PA
Posts: 120
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Re: Model A Shocks.
no they need to be taken apart. most of the time not an easy job
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06-20-2023, 06:59 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,372
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Jack is correct
Can’t clean inner chamber et al unless opened up. It’s a chore. |
06-20-2023, 01:59 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18
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Re: Model A Shocks.
I don't see anything wrong with the oils in the shocks.
I'd put the caps back in and declare victory |
06-20-2023, 02:33 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
Posts: 4,246
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Glycerine is not oil. Hydroscopic, (water is not good inside the shock), Not compatible. Ford changed to hydraulic oil for servicing.
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06-20-2023, 02:40 PM | #11 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,849
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Quote:
The Service Bulletins don't explain... Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 06-20-2023 at 02:47 PM. |
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06-20-2023, 03:31 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
Posts: 4,246
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Don't know. Would bet the dealers could replace, the service bulletins indicate to me that the dealers had the tooling.
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06-20-2023, 03:36 PM | #13 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Palmerston North New Zealand
Posts: 12
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Thanks for your help folks.
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06-23-2023, 08:28 AM | #14 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Don't use glycerine, the change to oil came fairly early in production.
Most folks now use hydraulic oil and the weight depends on how much they are worn. Plus the shocks are adjustable. Last edited by Patrick L.; 06-24-2023 at 10:18 AM. |
06-23-2023, 11:07 AM | #15 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,599
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Re: Model A Shocks.
The service bulletin mentioned in post #11 was issued in June 1930.
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06-24-2023, 09:10 AM | #16 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,436
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Houde Engineering Co. experimented with all sorts of fluids for their rotary dampers. They likely favored the use of glycerin due to it's properties when affected by cold and hot weather extremes. They also used mineral oils and castor oil during different periods trying to find a fluid that would be consistent and reliable for the normal life span of their damper designs. They generally stuck with glycerin for most of the types history. They used them on Ford vehicles till late in 1947 when Ford started to venture toward the tubular shock absorber.
Houde Engineering made them for low cost to Ford and they were considered throw away items back in the day. Other companies made similar units for aftermarket and replacement sales. Henry Ford always worried about strikes with his supplier companies so he seldom only had one source for any item used on his products. Condition is everything in how these units function so many years after they were produced. If there is too much clearance in the wing shaft to housing fit then they need higher viscosity oils in order to continue providing a reliable function. There likely aren't that many units out there in stock form that will still function well using glycerin. They are difficult to repair for wear. It is likely less expensive to fabricate new parts rather than try to repair badly worn ones. |
06-25-2023, 01:08 PM | #17 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
Posts: 4,246
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Re: Model A Shocks.
Pearson used 30-40 wt motor oil, I have been putting in 85-140 wt hydraulic oil.
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