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Technical Rear shock placement - model A

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by cederholm, Jan 18, 2024.

  1. Will the leaf contact the nut etc. on the inside of the crossmember at full bottom out with the car fully loaded?
    Just thinking aloud.
     
  2. ydopen
    Joined: Mar 14, 2010
    Posts: 237

    ydopen
    Member

    I have not had any problems with bottoming out or hitting spring nuts.
    The bottom mounts are copies of 48 Ford mounts. These were made by Pure Hotrods,now defunct. There are used originals available.
    This is the setup from Vern Tardell's book.
    Top mounts are anchored in tubes welded into cross member.
    The only problem I had was slight interference with inner fender well.
    I used a rachet strap to check to compress to full load and to check shock length.

    I have driven it for 8 years now.

    John
     
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  3. Lättähattu
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 101

    Lättähattu
    Member
    from Finland

    This is how i did it on my 28 Tudor long time ago. Simple 90 deg bended 3/8” steel plate bolted on original bumper mounting holes + 2 extra holes drilled to rear crossmember. Axle mount made from 2x4 rectangular tubing and some boxing plates. Shock mounting about 4” down from axle center line. Shocks are from local trailer shop , length is 10” - 15”.
    IMG_20240121_212221161.jpg IMG_20240121_212638694.jpg IMG_20240121_212754702.jpg IMG_20240121_213300285.jpg
     
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  4. Lättähattu
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 101

    Lättähattu
    Member
    from Finland

    If you are running original model A rear end, you might think about these friction shocks. https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A18015F.html Those are made by me and sold in US by Mikes Afordable. They are straight bolt on to model A frame, but they are designed for speedsters. On your high boy you need to shim the rear shocks little outwards to prevent hitting to inner fenders, like a guy did to his roadster here in Finland.
    IMG_20220517_063237_1.jpg IMG_20220517_063301_5.jpg
    IMG-20231003-WA0000.jpg
     
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  5. cederholm
    Joined: May 6, 2006
    Posts: 1,748

    cederholm
    Member

    I'm running a '39 rear-end mated to a '39 trans and a '52 flatty.

    I did consider friction, and those are nice!

     
  6. PotvinV8
    Joined: Mar 30, 2009
    Posts: 496

    PotvinV8
    Member

    The good thing about friction shocks is that if you're going to rely on two pieces of leather to dampen the suspension, location doesn't really matter.
     
  7. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 2,828

    twenty8
    Member

    Very diplomatic, and funny.........:D
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2024
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  8. Lättähattu
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 101

    Lättähattu
    Member
    from Finland

    That is why i use friction disc made some kind of fabric (by Offenhauser). And remember those are adjustable, something you can't get with cheap tube shocks! ;)
    Seriously, those are more for looks than performance: But by feedback from guys who had run them, they really works too.
     
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  9. GuyW
    Joined: Feb 23, 2007
    Posts: 648

    GuyW
    Member

    Lots of vintage motorcycles used friction shocks, with special friction discs. I imagine it won't be hard to source those. But, lever-action hydraulic shocks work better...
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2024
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  10. PotvinV8
    Joined: Mar 30, 2009
    Posts: 496

    PotvinV8
    Member

    Cheap tube shocks, no. But there are adjustable tube shocks on the market and adjusting them "tighter" doesn't put them in a bind like a friction shock. :)
     
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  11. Mean while you have a guy like me with 10 years and 25k miles on Bluetooth shocks. Not saying it's right. It just is.
     
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  12. 282doorUK
    Joined: Mar 6, 2015
    Posts: 472

    282doorUK

    But do you grease your springs?
     
  13. Robert Pierce
    Joined: Nov 29, 2021
    Posts: 89

    Robert Pierce
    Member

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