TC Shock Spacer?

[loustaller]

Is the spacer on the shock arm correctly installed? Does it belong there? Should it be tighter against the seals? Thanks!

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[bloodysalmon]

I think these are themselves seals, to protect dirt ingress; tight or not they will do the job Lou.

Nice to see you're doing something on the TC ... I sincerely hope things are good with you both? Chris

[cdrolshagen]

The gap is ok,
two modern seals do the job very nice,

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[loustaller]

I did use the modern seals so I should be good. Unfortunately I'm missing one of the steel spacers so I won't be able to finish the assembly of the last shock. Chris, I have more to add to our 2020 drama which I'll share with you privately. Thanks guys!

[cdrolshagen]

there is no steel spacer fitted,
attched picture shows all parts of a shock,

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[loustaller]

The shocks from my EXU TC had the spacers installed. I wonder if anyone has a factory drawing or close up photo to verify the spacers were part of the assembly or possibly not?

[Steve Simmons]

I just looked at mine, and one set that I know has been rebuilt has no spacers. Another set that I don't know the history of, does have spacers. And looking at the front shocks on my own TC, one has a spacer and the other doesn't. Or is it possible that it isn't a spacer at all but part of a replacement spindle?

[loustaller]

Steve, thanks for the input, we now know that at least one other car has spacers. My shocks look to have never been rebuilt so I'm thinking the spacers were part of the original assembly. On the shocks that you have that do not have the spacers how close is the arm/spindle to the seals? Is there a gap that might be filled with a spacer or are they pushed right up to the seals?

[Duncan M]

I rebuilt these 5 years ago using the double lip seal method. Whatever it is, there is no gap, and when prodded by the tip of an icepick-- it does not want to rotate. Late 1949 production, if that matters. I suppose it might be part of the original arm?
All four are the same.

[Steve Simmons]

Mine all look about like Duncan's. I didn't actually measure, but the arms look approximately the same distance on all 10 shocks I examined. There may be slight variation but I would have to measure to be sure. Also, I need to correct my earlier post. I looked again and the set with unknown history actually had 3 spacers, not 4. So out of 10 shocks, 4 have spacers and 6 don't. None of the complete sets match So I guess it's a bit of a mystery. But I wonder if the spacer is just there to keep the original seal material from working its way out?

[loustaller]

I guess if I can't locate another 'spacer' as I'm missing one, I could assemble a shock without one and it might just be correct. Although I would like to get one so all 4 shocks are similar. Anyone have an extra one willing to sell?

[Mark Strang]

I don't have a spacer to give to you but all four of my shocks have the spacers and I think they are original to the car. Photos of two other cars that belong to friends show the spacers.

[loustaller]

Thanks for all the input. If I locate another spacer I'll use it, if not I'm sure all will be fine.

[Duncan M]

Tom Wilson did an article in TC Motoring Guild http://www.tcmotoringguild.org/chassis/11MayMidget.pdf where the spacers are shown and sized. The article in the resources section of this site does not mention or show them. http://www.mg-tabc.org/library/luvax.htm

[Graeme Louk]

Greetings to you all,
Sorry to high jack your thread. Does anyone have a passengers side front shock absorber arm or shock absorber that they would be prepared to part with.
I have 3 rear shocks and 1 driver side front shock. If I can get a passengers side arm or a complete shock absorber then I’ll be set.
Regards,
Graeme Louk

[Peter Cole]

Graeme,

The arms are different front and back but each are the same side to side. You just need to rotate them 180 degs. Come back to me if you don't find a front arm. I might have one.

Regards
Peter Cole.

[Graeme Louk]

Hi Peter,
Thank you very much. I have 3 rear shock absorbers and 1 Front shock absorber.
I would be very appreciative if you do have a spare front shock absorber arm or a front shock absorber that you can sell me.
Regards,
Graeme Louk
Sydney
Australia

[loustaller]

Great information but confusing. Did they have spacers from the factory, or not? (Not really that important) I find it quite interesting that TC owners have been rebuilding, restoring and performing all types of repairs for decades on their cars and no one asked about the spacers before? I realize it's a non significant part of the car but we all have seen some questions concerning minuet issues but to someone, they're important as this is to others or maybe just me. Either way, I appreciate the input and interest. Now all I want to do is find a 4th spacer so all my shocks have them. Thanks!

[Steve Simmons]

No consensus as yet. I asked on the email list and no one had any definitive info. It seems like the confirmed sightings of spacers all came from late model cars, so perhaps they were an addition at some point. One thing is for certain, if the TABC community can't answer a question then it can't be answered.

[Steve Simmons]

Here is the breakdown so far. It seems that with the exception cars where the shocks are known to be rebuilt, all cars without spacers are early and all cars with spacers are late. Here are the results combined from the forum and the email list:

With Spacers:
Craig Siler: TC7715 EXU
Duncan MacKellar: TC9866 (purchased 1952, shocks never rebuilt)
Steve Simmons: TC8975
Steve Simmons: TC6988 (unknown history)
Mark Strang: Year?
Lou Staller: TC7441 EXU

Without Spacers:
Stephen Stierman: Early car
Craig Siler: TC2208
Bill Hyatt: TC4926 (purchased 1953)
Tom Wilson TC0279:
cdrolshagen: TC5245
Steve Simmons: TC9849 (shocks have been rebuilt)