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RichOakley
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 1108
Location: Midlands, UK
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 Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:03 am Post subject: Lever shocks - educate me! |
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I have just removed one of the lever shocks from my early Split. It has been leaking oil quite badly for a while now so I guess a rebuild is on the cards. I have never taken one of these apart before, so a few questions if I may...
1. Firstly, is rebuilding them a do-it-yourself job?
2. Are there any exploded diagrams available? The oil is coming out of the shaft- is there a seal here that needs replacing here?
3. The rubber bush in the end of the lever and the one in the eyelet need replacing. I have new bushes, but not new metal sleeve inserts inside the rubber- I guess I just re-use the old ones (they appear to be in good shape)? The old bushes are in there super-super tight! I guess this is a job for a press?
Many thanks in advance!
Rich. |
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kevm
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2004
Posts: 263
Location: UK
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RichOakley
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 1108
Location: Midlands, UK
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Kev,
That's some good info. I will strip mine down next weekend and have a look.
Anybody know where I could get the seals on the shaft from?
Rich. |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24733
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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Most shaft seals should be available at any local bearing supply shop. You just supply accurate inner and outer measurement.
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In Stereo, Where Available! |
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RichOakley
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 1108
Location: Midlands, UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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I have been looking at my lever shock tonight (this is the early type) and I don't even know where to start!! It leaks oil quite badly and the oil leak is caused by radial play in the shaft/bearing.
Does anybody know how to take these early shocks apart? Is the arm pressed onto a tapered shaft? Is access gained through the round portal in the end?
Alternatively, does anybody know who rebuilds these early single-acting dampers?
Cheers,
Rich.
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RichOakley
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 1108
Location: Midlands, UK
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| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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I am happy to report that Jacek in Poland was able to rebuild my lever shock and what a fantastic job he has done- thanks Jacek.
Does anybody know what sort of oil I should use? I have been told by several people that they use gearbox oil and others use jack oil. Any advice would be most welcome.
Cheers,
Rich. |
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rod_vw
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2006
Posts: 416
Location: Shropshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 7:15 am Post subject: |
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Rich,
My Brother is into spares for 1950s Daimlers, many of which are fitted with Luvax lever shockers. His overhaul company is...
Vintage & Classic Shock Absorbers Ltd, 203 Sanderstead Road, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 0PN - 0208 651 5347
He says they are not at all quick but have always given good service.
On the subject of oil for lever shockers, he is speaking to his supplier tomorrow for me and will let me know asap. I'll let you know the outcome.
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Please visit http://www.historicvws.org.uk
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1946 Beetle (Back on the road after over 50 years! Last major outing - Hessisch Oldendorf 2022)
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vintage fiberglass
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2006
Posts: 485
Location: Reading, Pa
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| Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 7:08 pm Post subject: lever shocks vs old small shocks? |
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| Did all early splits have lever shocks? My 1950 split has small regular shocks and has for a long long time. It was sitting in a garage for like 48 years since 1964 and still ahs them on. Just asking? Tim |
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rod_vw
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2006
Posts: 416
Location: Shropshire, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:00 am Post subject: |
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The parts book says levers up to 1-244053 however 'Progressive refinements' says up to 1-244003 (6th April 1951). There is only 50 frame numbers difference so it's a bit irrelevant.
VW (and others) did produce a kit to convert from levers to telescopics although I cannot find a part number for this but I have seen two different versions.
Edit...
Part numbers for the VW kit were,
111 513 497 Mounting plate rear shock absorber Left -- 1-397032
111 513 498 Mounting plate rear shock absorber Right -- 1-397032
N11 212 2 Nut Slotted M12 x 1.5 (Qty 2)
N12 532 1 Cotter pin 3 x 25 (Qty 2)
311 513 471 Bolt hex head M12 x 1.5 x 50 (Qty 2)
That's from info that I penciled into a 1950 parts book some 30 years ago so I can't vouch for the correctness. I think that there are two mountings missing from that list.
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Rod,
Please visit http://www.historicvws.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/historicvwclub/
1946 Beetle (Back on the road after over 50 years! Last major outing - Hessisch Oldendorf 2022)
2016 T6 Selfbuild Camper and a LWB MAN TGE in build. |
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rod_vw
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2006
Posts: 416
Location: Shropshire, UK
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Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
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RichOakley
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2004
Posts: 1108
Location: Midlands, UK
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 8:21 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks guys. I have had feedback from several people now and the most widely used lubricant is jack oil which is supposedly incredibly similar to fork or shock absorber oil with a rating of 20W. |
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Splitdog
Samba Split Personality
Joined: February 16, 2004
Posts: 4125
Location: Planet VW
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| rod_vw wrote: |
The parts book says levers up to 1-244053 however 'Progressive refinements' says up to 1-244-003 (6th April 1951). There is only 50 frame numbers difference so it's a bit irrelevant.
VW (and others) did produce a kit to convert from levers to telescopics although I cannot find a part number for this but I have seen two different versions.
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Progressive Refinements does say April 6th, and car # 0-244-003. However, I have seen many inconsistencies with PR. My dads' car was made April 10th, 1951 (birth certificate) and the chassis # was 0-243-486. His has lever shocks. I researched this extensively as my dads' car fell on the line for a lot of improvements.
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trynne
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2009
Posts: 101
Location: Milwaukee
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| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 8:08 am Post subject: |
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Here in the USA this company is the one all the British car owners use.I used them on several MG builds. They machine a new shaft seal for all rebuilds and guarantee no leaks. Been thru the shop and these guys know the shocks insifde out no matter what they came off of. They also offer an"adjustable option that can be added to almost any lever shock.
http://www.worldwideimportautoparts.com/servlet/the-Lever-Shocks--dsh--Remanufactured/Categories |
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marklee
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2009
Posts: 821
Location: Flintshire, North Wales
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| Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 6:29 am Post subject: |
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I meet Rich yesterday and saw this car and some others in his custody....I have to say all his cars are phenomenal and he is such a good guy. Only problem is I now want a 47.....Thanks again Rich 
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johan_l
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2004
Posts: 533
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bally
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 1182
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:33 am Post subject: |
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Rich, I have some jack oil in the garage - how much do you need for your shocks?
It could give you an excuse to po round 
Cheers,
Dave |
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Bob Cropsey
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2004
Posts: 30
Location: Wallington, New Jersey
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| Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 12:59 pm Post subject: My 1950 Lever Shocks Rebuilt |
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These are the double action lever shocks off my 1950 Standard Split. They were leaking and I had them fully rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics in Calverton, NY. They cleaned, rebuilt, and painted them.
They also rebushed the Links. Total was $420.00 for the pair.
www.Applehydraulics.com
Bob Cropsey
www.JerseyClassic.com |
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