Need some info on friction shocks

[Hellbilly_Buzzard]

Don't know much about them, would like a little info. What are they for. I have a 40 front end. Do I need them on top of the monoleaf and regular shocks. Any info please.

Thank you

[Petejoe]

You can find them here.
speedway (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp/strBase_List./hilt./source./base_no.1356021/str_base_no.1356021%2C213AK1043%2C213S7M3050%2C213 S7Z1090%2C213SN7A2040%2C237A108%2C237D315%2C237G60 3%2C237V191%2C2551818B%2C2551840%2C2551951%2C25521 719%2C2553173%2C2553235%2C2553235A%2C2553243A%2C25 59000%2C535AK35%2C535F12472%2C/header_title.Keyword+Search/page_name.search%2Fkeyword%5Fresults%2Easp/search_type.shocks/search_option.Exact/deptsearch./deptSearch_id./dept_id./dept_id_p./dept_name./dept_name_p./ShowImages.yes/sq.0/cont.1/intPgNo.1/redirect./qx/product.htm)

They are mostly used on the rods and racers because of clearance issues.
I think they look cool and an easy alternative to the clumsy looking knee actions.

[Hellbilly_Buzzard]

I was looking at those on speedway. I really like the look. Just don't know much about the functionality.

[fab32]

The name "friction shock" describes exactly how they function. The dampening effect created by friction between leather sandwiched steel plates. One set of plates are secured to the frame and the other set is secured to the suspension. The dampening is controlled by the amount of tension put on a center bolt (seen in the picture). The drawback is that this arrangement is always a 50/50 shock ratio.

Frank

[Petejoe]

Works with 2 leather disc's either side of the mounting plate which was above the spring perch (one on each side for each arm) A bolt goes through the center of the leather disc/washer and through the mounting plate and the swinging arm, the idea was that the tighter you did up the bolt and nyloc nut the harder the damping effect. They normally wear out in about a year and the leather has to be replaced.
Heres a good site which talks of them. tech info (http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/135_0312_solid/)

[Hellbilly_Buzzard]

Thanks Pete

that is what I was looking for.

[MBL]

Does anyone know when that type of shock was developed? When they started showing up on rods?
tim
MBL

[Petejoe]

Hartford and Truffault got together and in 1900. Hartford had outfitted an Oldsmobile with a variation of Truffault's device. This first automobile shock absorber consisted of a pair of levers that were hinged together with a pad of rubber placed at the pivot point. One of the lever arms was attached to the frame, while the other was bolted to the leaf spring.

A bolt placed at the hinge point could be tightened or loosened to increase or decrease the friction, providing a stiffer or softer ride. The Truffault- hartford unit was, therefore, not only the first automotive shock absorber, but also the first adjustable shock.

Hartford brought the car to America, where he opened his own plant, the Hartford Suspension Co., in Jersey City, New Jersey. His first big contract came from Alanson P. Brush, who installed shock absorbers along with front col springs on the 1906 Brush Runabout. The ride given by the car was called "magnificent" in a critique written by Hugh Dolnar for Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal.