24StudeCoupe Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I am looking to buy a Snubber Adjusting Tool. I missed a couple of them on Ebay. Let me know.Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Boudway Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Hi Wayne,I need one too.Perhaps someone has a pair to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roysboystoys Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 How about a photo , drawing or description ? Might have one and don't know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24StudeCoupe Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Here's what I'm Looking for. They are used to pull slack out of the webbing on a Gabriel Snubber Shock Absorber. I have on my '24 Studebaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roysboystoys Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Thank you for the quick response and education. I would not have guessed If I'd seen one.Can't help on that , but I have a Studebaker light six valve spring compressor. Spread the word !I'll keep a look out for your tool. Try a post on "Tool Talk". lots of old time tool collectors. Google the address.Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I had the tool in the photographs above, it went with the Dixie Flyer back to Kentucky Trailer (previously Kentucky Wagon Mfg Co) in Louisville. I have since made one out of scrap and it has worked on the "mongrel" Packard If you have access to a pony sized horse shoe that would be a good basic start if you are concerned about appearance. The "pins' need to be about 2 inches long and about 4 inches apart. Coburn (Ben) Benson has suggested that you could use a suitably modified large monkey wrench. You also need a pair of vice grip pliers to clamp the tape while you refit the clips. It is not compulsory to use a molehill to start making a mountain. Any old pile of dirt will suffice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayG Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 How about some pics of the tool in action? Or a description of how it is used. I'm just not clear how it would remove slack. It looks like it would just pull the slack out to a different position but not tighten it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Boudway Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 (edited) Hi,I have a copy of the instructions for this, but don't have a scanner.Send me a PM with your "snailmail" address, and I'll send a copy.Also, I'll make one of these tools.PS: Thanks Oldcar. Great help here!! Edited May 1, 2013 by Bill Boudway Added info (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 (edited) I'm just not clear how it would remove slack. It looks like it would just pull the slack out to a different position but not tighten it.You are quite correct in saying that it "pulls the slack out to a different position" the whole purpose is to increase the pressure on the spring in the centre of the snubber by shifting the slack to the outer end past the anchoring clip. You need to appreciate how the snubber works first. You have overlooked my reference to a pair of vice grip pliers to clamp the tape i.e. that is to stop the tape rewinding into the snubber while you reposition the anchor clip. I apologise if if have failed to make this clear. I am 76 years old and work entirely by myself I do not employ outside help or have a team of assistants standing by. I have just one pair of hands which given the cramped conditions under the car particularly at the rear are sometimes more than sufficient. This does mean that on some occasions I have to employ my brains. Hopefully this photograph will show the basic idea. The people who designed these snubbers during the late teens were not rocket scientists. Having clamped the tape you can then remove the snubber adjuster, take up the slack and reposition the anchor clip at the axle end of the tape. Finally remove the vice grip pliers.It is not compulsory to use a molehill to start making a mountain. Any old pile of dirt will suffice. Edited May 1, 2013 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 (edited) Hopefully this "exploded" photograph may help to explain how the snubber works. The tape is attached to the fixed "shoe" which also locates the coil spring, this also incorporates the mounting onto the chassis. the tape is wound around the shoe at the other end of the coil spring. As tension is applied to the end of the tape this spring is compressed. the loose outer end of the tape is anchored to a loop fixed to the axle. As the car rises and falls on the suspension (leaf spring) tension is applied via the tape causing the coil spring inside the snubber to be compressed. This in turn applies pressure on the tape hence the "snubbing" action i.e. limiting the rebound of the suspension. Again I apologise as this is a difficult subject to explain to someone on the other side of the world. Any time you feel like coming over I will demonstrate the workings of the Gabriel snubber first hand. Edited May 1, 2013 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayG Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thanks for the invite. Would love to visit your part of the world. I understand now what the tool does. I did overlook the reference to the vise grips. Thanks for the great description and pictures. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoneyPit Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Cell phone pictures of the tool & another PM has been sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevadavic Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Here's the "Gabriel Snubber Repair & Adjustment" pdf that may be useful. VicGabriel Snubber Repair & Adjustment.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roysboystoys Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Thanks to all for the education. This is a great forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayG Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 I'll second that!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1fun37 Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Thanks for the illistration, I need to rebuild one on a 1926 Willys-Knight I just purchased! Wondered how to do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronvb Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 (edited) I have one to sell. It does not have Gabriel embossed on it but it reads " snubber adjuster".It is in good condition with its original black paint.If interested please email ronvanblarcom@yahoo.comThanksronvb Edited November 1, 2015 by ronvb (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David K Mc Sherry Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 On 4/30/2013 at 8:55 AM, 24StudeCoupe said: I am looking to buy a Snubber Adjusting Tool. I missed a couple of them on Ebay. Let me know. Wayne On 11/1/2015 at 6:29 AM, ronvb said: I have one to sell. It does not have Gabriel embossed on it but it reads " snubber adjuster". It is in good condition with its original black paint. If interested please email ronvanblarcom@yahoo.com Thanks ronvb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David K Mc Sherry Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 On 4/30/2013 at 9:15 AM, Bill Boudway said: Hi Wayne, I need one too. Perhaps someone has a pair to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 I am not 100% sure , but what is left of my scrambled brain is trying to tell me Classic & Exotic Services has these. Or was it for Watson Stabilators ? - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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