MTFCA Forum

Hello I just purchased a 24 runabout it has the first shock / springs , my question is can I run just the front springs because I have disk brakes on back and the machanical part goes over brake drum

The rear axle has nothing to do with the front axle.

Given the rear brakes, most aux shocks will no longer fit.
But if your question is, is it OK to run shocks in front with none in the rear, the quick answer is yes.
The front being more damped than the rear could potentially set up a hobby horse bounce, but at the speeds of a T, can't imagine anything detrimental.
Biggest question would be what type of shock (some are dangerous and should not be used), what condition, whether you like them or not, etc.
But front only, just up to you.

To reiterate Kurt's comments, The type of front shock absorber is very important. ALL Model T shock absorbers were aftermarket, as no Ford left the factory with them. We had an individual killed when his front shock broke, causing the spring to become separated from the axle and the car rolled.

I say just get rid of em and be happy!

There has been various interpretations of the accident that killed Ken Meek. Blame was placed on a broken shock absorber perch but evidence suggests that it was broken in the accident and not the cause. Too much speculation has been placed on the broken parts after the accident and not how they may have failed during the accident. Not to mention a bias against accessories

Here is an link to the original reported accident https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/2 ... 99388.html Some highlights for that link
By Ricks - Surf City on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - 09:19 am:
Thanks for posting that, Ed. It's sobering, and at the same time confusing. Did both the tire and rim separate from the wheel? Which perch failed? Is that pic of the accident vehicle?
From what I see, two accessories might have prevented this accident:
Reinforced wishbone. This was an early one.
Hydraulic steering stabilizer.
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OTOH, the accessory shock absorbers contributed.
By Ricks - Surf City on Thursday, July 12, 2012 - 07:30 pm:

There may be more to be learned from this event.
Note 1. : It says the "left front tire/rim assembly separated.."
It was the left front tire, tube and maybe flap that separated. The rim stayed on the wheel.
Note 2. : "Skid marks indicated that the right (and left) front wheels instantaneously snapped to full left lock position."
From that point on, the driver was only a hapless passenger. Snapping the wheels hardover on dry pavement will cause a rollover at speeds much lower than 30.
Note 3. : "Probable Cause"
The report attributes design of the shocks, and not worn holes in the perches that caused the hardover from the caster variation, but it's obvious from the pix.
The perch snapped after about 40 feet of skidding. That sounds far? That's less than a second at 30 mph.
The left rear wheel did not leave a skid mark. Did the car have wheel brakes?

Extracted from Executive Summary: -- perhaps the real issue is in the design of the two hole perch and what made Ford change to an under the axle wishbone & a one hole perch