1951 Henry J Front Shock Absorbers

[ReggieFoote]

Did the necessary Forum search for front shock absorbers for my 1951 Henry J Deluxe. Saved the part numbers that were listed for the 1952 in a previous Forum string. Nothing found on the 1951 in my cursory search.

Went to NAPA. Took some time when the tech actually used the Henry J Forum without me telling him about it. Small world.

Anyway, I have 2 P/N 5751 SENSA-TRAC front shocks ordered.

Thanks to this Forum for help with my teething issues being a "Newbie" and wanted to let you know that your site is used by others than just owners.

Also and lastly, have been pretty successful in getting some new parts such as switches, dash knobs, rubber baby buggy bumpers, parking light lens, a used carb and a passel of other parts from many sources including Rudy in CA. Now with 2 months under my belt, not a whole lot left for fix or correct.

Reggie

[joefrazer]

I'm glad to hear you're making some progress on your J. Now, post a picture or two...we want to see your car!

[ReggieFoote]

Joe,

Will post photos when my wife returns from Italy with my camera. Off to pick up the new shock absorbers!!

Reggie

[Corsairdeluxe]

In case any one else is still looking ,I have the Monroe Limited Edition le10001 for the HJ front available for $80 a pair and I pay shipping. I'll post in parts section also

[ReggieFoote]

Well, the update on my installing new front shock absorbers goes like this. The nuts at the top came right off. The nuts on the bottom did not. They seem to be "frozen" or rusted in place. I used a lot of penetrating oil, to no avail. I've looked at the breakdown of associated parts and read the words about removal/installation in the HJ Manual, but cannot quite figure out how they are removed and where. What to do when the bottom stud nuts won' budge??

Comments welcome.

Reggie

[Terry T]

can you say "abrasive cutting wheel"?

[ReggieFoote]

I did say, abrasive cutting wheel, and by gosh, it worked.

Always wanted to buy a Dremel tool. Now I have it, but when cutting through tough metal, I had to use up 3 disks. Not a complaint mind you, just commenting. Reminds me of buying a computer printer. The printer is cheaply priced, but HP makes up the cost by the machine needing constant ink cartridges.

Anyway, old shock absorbers out, new 1/2 done. Have them both in place with the tops tightened, but the harder task, the lower parts, are being left for another day. Maybe I did the reverse??

Reggie

[Terry T]

time to upgrade the Dremel to an air driven small grinder tool--cheap at Harbor Freight and it will last a very long time.
lay in 3" abrasive disks and various stones.
you cannot predict when you will need them, but having them on the shelf is grand!!

[ReggieFoote]

Don't think I should get involved with any air-driven tools. This means having to buy a compressor, hoses and a few other "goodies". My garage lacks the necessary room for any bulky items.

For the occasional job, the Dremel should work just fine as it did for this "project"..

Appreciate comments and suggestions, but need, at this age, to downsize. Wife agrees!!!

Reggie

[Terry T]

I can appreciate that.

A non air-driven alternative is the ROTO ZIP with cutting wheels.
It can be considered a Dremel on steroids.

[ReggieFoote]

Hi Terry,

The FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS are now installed. Not the easiest to do as I did it in my garage with no lift.

Thanks to Mister Dremel, the removal was made easier with a cutting wheel. The installation was a wee bit harder especially with the parts at the bottom of the shocks/A-arm. Vision clear, 20/20 in hindsight!!

Got rid of a couple "rattles" under the front end. Seems that both front shocks were bad.

Reggie

[Fid]

The rubber bumpers on the shocks are usually rotten and cause the mounting hardware to loosen a bit. Makes for nasty rattles when driving. I replaced just the bumpers on mine a couple of  years ago and that got rid of a bunch of noises.