Durant Mike Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Turning up some dead ends in my search and figure someone out in the AACA world might have some suggestions on who I contact. I have 4 Gabriel snubbers shock absorbers from my 1928 Durant. These use the 1 1/2 inch snubber belt. I've contacted Restoration Supply and Restoration Specialties who both say that 1 1/2 inch belt is not longer available and it is not being manufactured anymore. Both say they've received quotes on making it but it will be $60,000 to $100,000 to have it made. Someone out there in the restoration world has to have a supplier for it or know where some is. What are you other restorers using as a replacement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeke01 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 The last I bought came from Tom Hannaford at Then and now automotive. It has been a few years ago though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbartlett Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Classic and Exotic Service in Troy, Michigan just supplied straps for my Watson Stabilators. Perhaps it's the same material you are seeking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Restoration Supply Co., Escondido, CA800-306-7008Restoration Supply Company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 The snubber belting is made and sold by the same company that makes the woven hoodlacing. This material is going the way of some windlacing and the old cork glass setting tape. There aren't enough sales anymore to warrant manufacturing this material. Sadly ,only a few companies still have the machines to manufacture this type material , some being in England. I'm afraid that a lot more "specialty" items are going to disappear from the market in the future unless some one can get their hands on the machines and restart manufacture, but I don't see it being profitable or probable. Unfortunately, the passing of time can kill needs and interests; try buying Conestoga wagon parts today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durant Mike Posted August 10, 2013 Author Share Posted August 10, 2013 Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. I'll start making calls and trying to see if anyone has enough for my restoration. Thought of a seat belt material, but that is mostly nylon and would not offer the same friction and not pass AACA judging. True you can't get many consetoga parts anymore, but there are many more teens and twenties cars left that need this snubber material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friartuck Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 (edited) Consider the webbing from McMaster-Carr: McMaster-Carr Their extra strength is 3/32 inch thick which is less than the original, but it's in the right width. The tan can be dyed if needed.Extra-Strength Cotton Webbing with Nylon Core 1-1/2" Web Width, Tan, 2200# Breaking Strength. I think this is more than just the regular cotton which has a breaking strength of just 440#.You may also get away with a lighter tension spring and use this webbing. Todays roads are more foregiving than in the 1920's. Edited August 12, 2013 by Friartuck (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 That's probably a canvas strapping if it's white and not suitable for snubber. Snubber belt has a different weave pattern than the regular flat hoodlacing and canvas strapping and has an extra woven core for strength. Snubber rand hoodlace is also treated witha preservative to prevent rot from moisture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 You cannot cut a wide piece down to 1-1/2??? Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Snubber belt is a specialty item woven with closed sides to give it strength. If you were to cut a piece down you would expose the inner core and weaken the cut edge causing it to fray and come apart. Snubber is heavier(thicker) than the standard flat woven material due to the core that gives it greater strength. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Ey ey Captian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durant Mike Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 Thank you so much everyone for your input on this. I've got a couple of emails out to several places to see if they have what I need. I have found a place that has body webbing the right width, but it's 1/8 inch thick, not 3/16 as the original. Looks like the same stuff I have though. I wouldn't think that 1/16" would make that much difference. I'll keep everyone posted on what I find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Again I say, body webbing is the same as flat hoodlacing, it is NOT snubber belt. Body webbing will tear apart very quickly and is not a substitute for snubber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Which is more important? Working shocks or judging?If working shocks trump judging may I suggest leather covered nylon core flat belt (Leather with Nylon Core—0.185" Thick) as offered by McMaster-Carr >>> McMaster-Carr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest prs519 Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Just a thought.... you might look into various tow straps and load hold downs. Some are nylon, some are probably organic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durant Mike Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 Again I say, body webbing is the same as flat hoodlacing, it is NOT snubber belt. Body webbing will tear apart very quickly and is not a substitute for snubber.I've called a dozen places so far and have found one that has what I need. It isn't cheap and is quite expensive though. As stated earlier here is the problem. No one is making this snubber material anymore. Supplies are dwindling if not gone and depending on the size you need, maybe already gone. Various parts dealers such as Restoration Supply and Restoration specialties etc all say that the manufacturer they were getting their material from is not making it anymore and to make a run of it is about $60,000 to $100,000 dollars set up and manufacture. Most of these businesses cannot afford to put that kind of money out on something that will take many many years to get their money back. That being said, those of us who like and restore the late teens and 20's cars will have to find something else to replace it for the future. I am restoring this car as original as I can get it and will enter it for judging. These belts will be visible to the Chassis Judge so they have to at least pass the eye test. Future restorer might be forced to use the body webbing material if that is all that is available. The stuff that I've seen is identical except it is not treated like the original and is a bit larger, 1/16 of an inch wider. Anyone doing a restoration with snubbers or anticipating doing one in the years ahead better start shopping now and stock up on what you need. FYI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f147pu Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Does anyone have a sample available of the correct "snubber", NOT Watson Stabilator strap, material? I supply Stabilator straps 1-1/2 wide and would like to compare the material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryJ Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 60 to 80 thousand dollars?????????.....this is easily made; spun yarn and a braiding machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durant Mike Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 Harry I found my snubber material and have started the restoration of my four snubbers. I agree that it should be easily made, but I believe the cost of tooling for this and the lack of a market probably pushes the price up. It is a very heavy cotton belting materal, very similar to the old WWII army belt material but double stitched in places with what appears to be a leather core. It also is impregnated with what I believe to be a graphite or other type lubricant to keep it flexible and lubricated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f147pu Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Harry and DurantUnless you have experience in the industrial fabrics manufacturing business, which I do have, you have no concept of what would be required to set up to weave, NOT braid, this type of webbing, The yarns are special, also the looms, and the market is very limited compared to the cost of materials and labor involved. Also the treatment probably used on snubber webbing is so environmentally bad that the millls that used it stopped doing so as the cost of the equipment etc, to meet EPA regs could not be justified. In selling Stabilator straps I ran into this problem back in the '80s. Even now there is no dye house that wants to just dye the Stabilator straps so I had to come up with my own method to make them black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mauryp Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Mike, can I ask what supplier you are using for the snubber material? I just bought a 28 buick and the passenger side front snubber is broken. Just want to replace all of them with new if I can locate the proper part.thanks, Maury Parrish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LeeElsner Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Durant,Can you let me know where you got your material. We have 4 snubbers for my 1922 Studebaker Big Six that need repairing. Two need 1-1/4" and two need 1-1/2" material, a total of 13 feet for each size.Thanks,Lee ElsnerPS: I found it so contact me if anyone needs some Edited January 16, 2014 by LeeElsner (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWISE Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Lee Elsner, Hi, Hope you have found some snubber belt material. If not I can supplier the material or put it on for you. have 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 and 2' Andy Garage 302 245 -7276 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jmbike Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 HELLO THIS IS JEFF AT RESTORATION SPECIALTIES THE SNUBBER BELTING MACHINE IS BROKEN AND IS NOT REPAIRABLE WE HAVE TRIED BRIBING THEM WITH VERY LARGE ORDERS AND THEY WILL NOT BUDGE I DID FIND SOME 1 1/4 INCH AND 1 3/4 AND 2 INCH AT THE MANUFACTURER AND HAD THEM FINISH IT FOR ME THIS IS THE REAL TIGHT WOVEN 3/16 INCH THICK CREOSOTE SOAKED MATERIAL THIS IS ALSO VERY LIMITED I HAVE THESE IN STOCK 814-467-9842 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MochetVelo Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 This is the wrong group to tell a machine is un-repairable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 (edited) On 2/13/2017 at 7:09 PM, MochetVelo said: This is the wrong group to tell a machine is un-repairable. No BS there. It just comes down to how much of it do you want to re-create. Feasible? Maybe Not. But then again, How do you put a price on something that is priceless and needed. All it takes is time and a big enough scrap heap to pick from. Dandy Dave! Edited February 15, 2017 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoluke Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Also need the belt material, in addition to the bracket that attaches to the axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 I plan to have two snubbers rebuilt for my 23 Hupp touring car. So whatever rebuilder I connect with, will need that material for my car too. My old belts were 1.5" wide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Autoluke There are various types of those brackets a photo of what you need would be a big help What is the brand of Snubber that you require the bracket for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Young Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Here's a very good contact for snubber shock belting: Andy's Garage, Ellendale, Delaware. 302-245-7276. www.wiseandysgarage.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoluke Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Ron No photo available, but the bracket is 20" high with an adjustable nut on top , and a strap loop on the bottom. The nut tightens a mid point clamp which secures the bracket to an IBeam axle. Snubber is identified as "Gabriel Balloon Snubber ". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I have a couple of old brackets but with out a photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Zetnick Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 A couple of years ago no one was making my size belting either...this is where I got mine for a '29 Dodge http://www.faccafasteners.com/Products/GlassSettingStrips.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now