Hasslers: Worth the bother?

[Steve Jelf]

They were in a pile of stuff I bought at some auction or other. I've never used them. Do they really improve Model T handling so much that I want to blast, paint, and install them?

[George House]

No….. unless you would use them on a tall sedan. They would minimize the ‘rolling motion’ of a tall sedan going around a corner at speed. I would think they’d be of negligible value on a roadster or touring. YMMV

[Dallas Landers]

I dont think handling is improved in my experience. I installed them on the front of my TT and the ride improved alot. I have a set to install on the rear when I get time. I seem to have more body roll but the ride is softened quite alot.

[Russ T Fender]

I have Gabriel snubbers on my Centerdoor and they make a big difference so I would think Hasslers, or any type of shock absorbers, would be a plus on a tall car. I had Hasslers on my '14 Runabout and took them off. I did not like the ride with them on at all!

[Norman Kling]

They will not work with Rocky Mountain brakes. You can put them on the front, but not on back.
Norm

[TRDxB2]

They were in a pile of stuff I bought at some auction or other. I've never used them. Do they really improve Model T handling so much that I want to blast, paint, and install them?

The answer to part of your question about improving handling to install them is - "Not anymore". Today's roads are much smoother then in the day. I would think that anything that would reduce steering jitters would improve handling. For some they look cool as a period accessory, others say ugly.

The second part about blast & paint is "YES". A complete set in good condition usually sell upwards of $500. Repro bolts for the shackles points are scarce & pricey

[speedytinc]

Are they actually selling for $500??????
I see sets @ swap meets for $100 or less. Saw a set for $75 @ Bakersfield & the seller was begging for offers.
I couldnt get $50 dragging them to several swap meets. I gave them away to someone I recognized that showed interest.

[Erik Johnson]

Just my two cents which have nothing to do with handling:

Hasslers are incredibly ugly and detract from the looks of the car.

They are neither sleek nor sporty - they look cumbersome.

My '17 roadster had a set of Hasslers that were installed by the original owner. I removed them shortly after I acquired the car.

[Chris Barker]

As I understand it _ I could be wrong, these are just springs in series, so they soften the ride. I don't think that they have any damping function, unlike the Gabriel snubber which is a rebound damper

[Will]

I have them on my 19 touring in the front. I love the looks and get a ton of comments on them at shows. They were a bit tricky to install by myself as you have to reverse the front axle. Iv had them on now for over 15 years. As far as ride goes I cant really say. The roads down here in Florida are for the most part smooth as glass. I only have them on the front as I have AC brakes on the back and they can not be installed on the back with my brakes.

[Mark Gregush]

I had them on my somewhat top heavy huckster, but only the rear. They did seem to help with body sway. Never saw the need for them on the front, the front spring, even clean and lubed, did not have the bonce like the rear spring.

[KeithG]

My '14 Touring had them on it when I bought it. I installed AC brakes on the rear axle and had to remove the Hasslers as their mounting interfered with the AC brakes. As for the fronts, I don't think they help much if at all. The late Jack Daron used to make the weight bearing bolt for the Hasslers but I don't know if anyone is doing it now. In my opinion I don't think they help at all, but that's my opinion for a '14 Touring & it might be different for a sedan or coupe.

Keith

[Mark Gregush]

The illustration at the top of the eBay offering is current. They have the long and short ones.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266621337733

[TRDxB2]

Like any part using the correct springs would make a difference
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[tdump]

I remember going to a tech session to work on a car that had the Hasslers and they were a real Hassle to remove and reinstall. I decided after that day, I had no desire for the things on a T

[A Whiteman]

I installed them on the front of my TT and the ride improved alot. I have a set to install on the rear when I get time. I seem to have more body roll but the ride is softened quite alot.

I found the same, I like them. Mine are 'pancake' rather than beehive, I don't have much issue with body roll with them.

My thought is, if it works for you, then it works!

Cheers
Adrian

[WillsT]

Really improved my ride after I installed Hasslers on front
Resolved bump steer, the front end no longer sways left and right because of the spring shackles not being restrained, now it is
Don’t have perfect back roads here, car now stays straight ahead.

Have a nice set of rears Hassler for rear if anyone interested, I have Rocky’s and can’t use them

[TXGOAT2]

They would add to the effective length of the springs, which would help ride quality. They widen the spring base, which should act against body roll.
They'd need to be matched to the individual car and all parts would need to be in good condition.

Double-acting hydraulic shocks combined with soft springs give the best ride.

Modern shocks can be adapted to a T, and hydraulic lever shocks off something like an MG or Triumph car could probably be adapted.
Oiling the springs on many Model Ts can give a big ride improvement. Dry springs ride hard.

[m_p_dean@yahoo.com]

My '17 came with some period accessories when I got it, front Hasslers, a running board mounted tool box, a hand operated windshield wiper, and I added an expandable running board gate. The Model T, even with the added accessories, is never going to be as efficient as my modern wheels. In particular, the Hasslers may turn the T from a ill handling car with poor ride quality into a slightly less ill handling car with poor ride quality. None the less they're interesting, and are part of the history of my car.

[RajoRacer]

Hasslers were a very popular accessory of the day - check out how many of Tom R's photos show Hassler Equipped Model T's !

[George House]

In lieu of Hasslers I have these 3 spring accessory ‘helper’ springs on each corner of my ‘19 centerdoor. I feel they perform the same function as Hasslers on a top heavy T but I’ve never seen another set in my 50+ years of touring. Anybody using these ?

[kevinf]

Steve, When I put Hasslers on I noticed no improvement in the ride. Cast iron front wheels and steel cleats on the rear, may have overrode any benefit.
Good to see you back,
Kevin in "Ewetah"

[RajoRacer]

I don't imagine those Hasslers helped much on your ride Kevin but that's a nice power take-off - only second one I've seen like that !

[Michael Peternell]

Steve, When I put Hasslers on I noticed no improvement in the ride. Cast iron front wheels and steel cleats on the rear, may have overrode any benefit.
Good to see you back,
Kevin in "Ewetah"

Now that is a peach!!! Front belt drive! Just curious if it rattles things. I have a new old stock I'm contemplating adding to my little Shaw.

[Duey_C]

That is flipping cute Michael!