front shocks

[davids2toys]

So I was under it looking for the fill for all 4 shocks. To my surprise the Pass side is completely missing the shock and link! The drivers side is complete but the bottom hole in the link is very loose because there is no center in the hole so it is just flopping around. I have no idea what these shocks are or where to get them. I should probably figure out how to test the rest of them to see if I need new ones. I will post a few pics. Any guidance would be appreciated
Thanks....Dave

[Jembow]

They're Houdaille shocks and unlikely to be in working order. You can buy the links new but not the shock. There is a guy who will fix them, someone else will probably chip in with contact details.

For the moment, I have MGB rears on the front (common trick on Model As) but they foul the tyres on the rear so I am going to fit tube shocks. Long term, I intend to fix the originals.

[DavidG]

Andy Falandes in Massachusetts can restore the shocks that you have (if they are restorable) and perhaps supply you with the correct rebuilt shock to replace the missing one and any others that require replacement.

[rotorwrench]

Houdaille shocks (pronounced who-die) are still out there. They can be found on flea pay now and then but condition of the core is very important. The older Ford Chassis parts catalogs have illustrations of the original shocks & arms for the different part numbers Ford used in the 30s & 40s. You will need the correct shock and arm to get you back in business. Andy Falandes may have some spares but there will be a core charge loss added to the overhaul price.


Here is a link that has Bill Wzorek's shock information in the last post. Bill trained Andy and he is the rebuilder now.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56918

[davids2toys]

Great info so far, thanks. Hard to believe to car goes down the road pretty nicely! So, is Bill the guy to contact, not Andy? Does anybody have contact info?
Dave

[davids2toys]

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Did a google search sand found Apple Hydraulics. Are these guys good and reputable? This looks like it is going to be a pretty expensive situation!

[JSeery]

Andy, Bill is no longer rebuilding shocks.

[corvette8n]

Try Andy:
Andrew Falandes
789 Tea St.
Charlemont, MA. 01339

(413)768-8487
__________________
[email protected]

Some people have had issues with Apple Hydraulics.

[tubman]

There is a little thought festering in the back of my mind that is telling me you should check out Apple Hydraulics before using them. Maybe try a search on the H.A.M.B.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

Did a google search sand found Apple Hydraulics. Are these guys good and reputable? This looks like it is going to be a pretty expensive situation!

I would not suggest using those folks.

Cantact Andy as already mentioned. He can give you some pointers on how to check your existing shock cores to determine if they are rebuildable.

When Bill Wzorek was still building shocks, I took a bucket load of my old core shocks to him at Hershey to check. He found that many, over 50%, were not good candidates for rebuilding.

I wound up having Bill rebuild three sets of 35 shocks for my cars. Have a complete set of his rebuilds on my avatar 35 fordor.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

Did a google search sand found Apple Hydraulics. Are these guys good and reputable? This looks like it is going to be a pretty expensive situation!

Stay away from Apple. Enough said?

[DavidG]

Andy may have some NOS or good NORS links as well; if not, try Michael at thirdgenautomotive.com.

[davids2toys]

OK, staying away from Apple and will call Andy tomorrow
Thanks

[VeryTangled]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

OK, staying away from Apple and will call Andy tomorrow
Thanks

Hi Everyone. davids2toys, I have two cars with rebuilt shocks from first Bill W and second Andrew F. Hearty recommendation from me for using this vendor.

Andrew ID'd the junk I sent him, offered options and time schedules. He met all the checkpoints he said he would and returned good as new and turnkey bolt-on parts.

On contacting him, I'd lean towards the email for smooth communications from Andrew and no work-stoppages on his end... [email protected]

[davids2toys]

Thanks Jeff for the great recommendation, except my initial contact will be by phone so we can talk about it first. Everything after that could be email

[JSeery]

You may find a lot of the folks that rebuild and repair parts are difficult to reach by phone. Every minute they are on the phone they are not working and when you get calls all day long nothing gets done. So, they often resort to not answering phone calls.

[davids2toys]

I never really thought about that. I thought a sales call is just part of friendly customer service and part of running a business.Maybe I am missing something here? Would it not take just as much time for the business owner to answer emails as answering his phone? The only big advantage is you could do emails when you choose to do them.

[DavidG]

Not if you are a one man band doing the work. There are aspects of shock absorber rebuilding that once started cannot be interrupted, so yes, you are missing something here.

[davids2toys]

That is why I asked

[Branded]

Andy answers a lot of the emails in the evenings

[Ricosan]

About 3 months ago I used Apple Hydrolics to rebuild all four of my shocks on my 1934 cabriolet. He was fast and I got my shocks back in about 2weeks. No issues. Yes, you can speak to the owner by telephone.
Ricosan

[davids2toys]

Nice to know. Thanks

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

About 3 months ago I used Apple Hydrolics to rebuild all four of my shocks on my 1934 cabriolet. He was fast and I got my shocks back in about 2weeks. No issues. Yes, you can speak to the owner by telephone.
Ricosan

Timing has not been the main issue with Apple in the past.

[40cpe]

Andy rebuilt my shocks. As per the previous comments, he is on time/price with his estimates. One of my shocks wouldn't rebuild and he had a core to replace it (with a core charge). I didn't need to talk to him by phone, all was handled efficiently by email.

[davids2toys]

Does he have a site? What are his prices?
On the drivers sifde, the link is hooked up but the center is missing so it is sloppy. I put a crescent wrench on the shock arm and was moving it pretty easily withing that small circle of the link. How do I get the link off so I can try this the correct way. From what I understand, it should not be easily moved

[DavidG]

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He has no website that I'm aware of; only he can provide you with his current prices, which will depend in part on the condition of what you send him. The link is attached at both ends with either a self-locking (Marsden) hex nut or just a hex nut and lock washer. It is difficult to tell which from your photos. The threaded shanks of the links are tapered and may require some force to free them.


If the shock arm moves freely, that may be that it is low or out of fluid, which is not necessarily a bad sign, but without fluid the internal parts wear out pretty quickly.

[davids2toys]

I guess that is tghe things I need to learn from him.
My link is held on with just a nut and washer.I took it off but could not get the bolt out. I just hit it a few times, but did not kill it because I did not want to damage the shock arm. It moves freely enough but only for 1/2 " because of the bolt that was still in place. Should it move at all?
I definitely need a new link, are they available? I think MAC sells these.

[corvette8n]

https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/cgca...&searchnumber=

C&G has the parts you need, I order from them all the time.

[Steve in Denver]

There is a guy in Denver, CO that has a box of them, original condition. No idea on prices or condition. If you are interested, let me know and I will go by and see what he has. Steve in Denver

[davids2toys]

Hi Steve, are you talking about the links?

[davids2toys]

Thanks Corvette, I just bookmarked the site. Looks good

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/cgca...&searchnumber=

C&G has the parts you need, I order from them all the time.

C&G carries Carpenter stuff at Carpenter prices. You would be better off (closer) just ordering from Dennis Carpenter.

[davids2toys]

Interesting, why would I be better off?

[Branded]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

Interesting, why would I be better off?

I’m gonna guess shipping fees, Carpenter offers flat rate shipping fees


Flat Rate Shipping:


Must ship by “ground” service within the contiguous US.(This excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Normal carrier rates apply.)

Domestic Air and International service is not included.Normal carrier rates apply. Even though an order requires multiple packages or if any of the packages are over-sized, bulky, and/or heavy, the shipping is still $14.99 excluding items that require “Freight Truck Shipping”.

Any “domestic ground” order with a total parts value under $100.00 will be charged a $9.99 minimum shipping rate. These rates include insurance and handling.

Items such as hoods, bedsides, 12’ bedstrips, doors, fenders, quarter panels require freight truck shipping. Items that require freight truck shipping are noted in catalog. If items requiring freight truck shipping areordered with flat rate items, all items will be included for the same freight truck rate. See right for more details.

PHONE ORDERS are $14.99 Flat Rate for orders $100.00 and up and $9.99 Flat Rate for orders under $99.99.

[davids2toys]

I just hate it when they charge you like this. even for a tiny part that goes into a mailer. also if you just need a 12.00 part to have to pay 10.00 for shipping. Shipping should never be based on price, it should be based on size, bulk and weight IMO

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Andy, Bill is no longer rebuilding shocks.

Bill unfortunately has/had ALS. Been a yr since I talked to him.

Believe his son Andy is taking over the business. Would be my first inquirings on rebuilds. Good people.

Had 5 star in la do a set for me. Nice stuff, not cheap with shipping.


Best of luck!

.

[Branded]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

I just hate it when they charge you like this. even for a tiny part that goes into a mailer. also if you just need a 12.00 part to have to pay 10.00 for shipping. Shipping should never be based on price, it should be based on size, bulk and weight IMO

I like Flat rate Shipping especially when I’m paying to ship. I sent Andy Falandes the shocks to rebuild for my 40 yesterday. Total weight was 31 pounds and they fit into a USPS Medium Flat Rate Box, cost me 13.65.

Andy Falandes took over Bills shock rebuilding business.

Andrew Falandes
789 Tea St
Charlemont, MA. 01339

[email protected]

[Tinker]

You have to spend some money to get it done. Send Andy a email. Hardly any good re builder I know, does have a website or relies on it. Too busy and good too care. Sometimes you have to talk to someone.


Walt had a waiting list of engine rebuilds. No website.....






.

[oswego37]

I have dealt with Andy several times.He's great. Ernie