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Old 09-09-2020, 05:10 PM   #1
keyswitch1
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Default model a shocks

If you only have two shocks instead of four when you put them on the front or the rear ?? Thank you !!
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Old 09-09-2020, 06:23 PM   #2
Kevin in NJ
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Default Re: model a shocks

I can tell you with certainty they MUST be on the front.

Something to understand. If you can drive a Model A without shocks over 20-25 MPH then you have a car that needs the suspension rebuilt.

When the front spring is in good condition and well lubricated the car will feel like it wants to jump off the road over about 20 MPH. It is one of those feelings that will keep you from driving even close to that speed ever again.

I test drove my fordor without shocks after rebuilding the suspension. Got up to 25 and almost dirtied my pants. I drove home the few blocks at 15 mph.

After I got 2 working shocks all fixed up and mounted on the front the car was 'safe' to run 55 MPH. It did have a bounce in the rear.
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Old 09-09-2020, 06:50 PM   #3
1930-Pickup
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Default Re: model a shocks

I drive my pickup with two shocks at the rear only. The two front shocks are shot and do nothing.

I drive up to about 40 MPH. Any faster and my worn engine is getting an attitude problem, but it holds to the road just fine.

My front spring has never been off, and its probably a bit too stiff, although the truck does move up and down at the front, just not a lot. The rest of the front end has some wear, but not much. Anyway, I'm rebuilding the front end and brakes this year, so I'll find out.

If my front spring was all fresh and clean and lubricated, maybe it would be more unstable at higher speeds...I don't know.

Seems odd to me that an A would be so unstable above 25 MPH if it didn't have shocks. Did Henry really create an unstable platform? T's frequently didn't have shocks, and neither did many cars of the 1920's.

If the A's are so unstable above 25, what happened during the last 90 years as people wore out their shocks, or just took them off? We all know how terrible the maintenance was on most Model A's for many years by most owners. Did all these cars drive slower than 25? I'm asking because it doesn't make sense to me.

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Old 09-09-2020, 06:50 PM   #4
updraught
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Default Re: model a shocks

Front. You don't want pitching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej7CRAIGXow
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Old 09-09-2020, 10:21 PM   #5
700rpm
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Default Re: model a shocks

Just buy four and put them front and back. Don’t worry about a $1200 investment in a $12,000 (or more) car.
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Old 09-09-2020, 11:17 PM   #6
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Default Re: model a shocks

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Quote:
Originally Posted by updraught View Post
Front. You don't want pitching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej7CRAIGXow

Great video!
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