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Lever Shock
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gmann
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:58 pm    Post subject: Lever Shock Reply with quote

Can anyone help me?


What fluid goes in the shock and how much do you fill it?
Does anyone rebuild them?


Thanks in advance. Very Happy


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RareAir
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Contact these guys: http://www.classicautoshocks.com/ They restored the single action lever shocks on my car and they came highly recommended when I was searching for a restorer
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52panelvan
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

I filled mine originally with gearbox oil but im fairly certain that the piston movement was way too stiff, compared with an original one i had, so was going to opt for using auto transmission fluid (atf, dextron etc) as this has been recommended to me by someone for this purpose as the oil is much more fluid and should flow better through the pistons.

As far as filling it up, i filled mine in the end so that they were almost full except for about half a centimetre from the top, after cycling the arm a few times.

If it is siezed then you wil have to send it to a restrorer.....

If in doubt talk to the people shown above, im sure thay will know

cheers
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EverettB Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have always heard jack oil, like for a floor jack.
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gmann
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info guys I'm goin to contact the link above that rareair recomended, after reading it they sell shock fluid,
I'll post later and let you guys know what they recomend. Very Happy
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vintagemx0
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Use motorcycle fork oil. You can get it as low as 2.5W and up to about 30W. It can be bought in small quantities too.

My suggestion would be to go to your favorite local motorcycle shop and buy some 15w fork oil and see what you think. Too soft? try some 20W or 25W... Too hard? try some 5W or 10W....

Motorcycle front suspension works very similary to those lever shocks and the choices of oils are tremendous. Stay away from motor oils! They often contain detergents and are pretty crude for valving (consistent viscosity) operation like you need for those EXPENSIVE lever shocks.

Ken
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UZI
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

what was liquid originally used? i am reconditioning the lever shock on my '50. i opened them up and felt like brake fluid. is that possible?
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gmann
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought 2 quarts of shock absorber fluid from www.chevsofthe40s.com
I paid $6.75 a quart plus shipping. They work great give them a call
1-800-999-2438.
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UZI
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

after doing a bit of calling around, i heard a variety of answers. transmission fluid, jack oil, light hydraulic fluid and conflicting answers on brake fluid. i spoke with apple hydraulics in new york and they said i won't go wrong with jack oil.

i empied out the old oil that still looks clear, though too low and added the jack oil in, worked the lever back and forth to squeeze out the air and closed it up. nice and smooth.
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mattcuddy
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

lots of old brit cars had lever shocks. most brit car suppliers will have something suitable. i wouldn't hesitate to use jack oil either.
example:
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=31457&SortOrder=1
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UZI
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

that stuff is double the price of jack oil.
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passoa55 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting information.
I need it also for my car, Januari 1950.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 2:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

Does anyone have a definitive answer as to what the correct angle of the lever arm to the shock body should be ? I had the rear shocks for my '50 Standard Sedan rebuilt some time ago and recently removed one to check that the arm was moving properly without binding or leaking fluid. In comparing it to a couple of other shocks I have for other projects, I noticed the arm was not indexed to the same angle as the two other shocks which don't seem to have ever been apart but had the same angle which is different from the rebuilt shock. There seems to be many ways to incorrectly install the arm on the pivot shaft. I have to assume that the arm should be installed with the pistons even to each other in the cylinder bores, which I was able to establish with a junk shock, but at what angle ?
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Hawker
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 1:49 am    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

This should give you an idea of the angle of the arm in the centre of the total travel. With the top removed and the cast iron beam parallel to the cover plate mating surface, the lever arm should be in this position. It has coarse splines so it shouldn’t be difficult to mirror the angles.

BR,

Rob


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geneL3c Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 7:30 am    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

Hawker, Thanks for your quick response. I will compare your photo with what I believe is one of the shocks I have that may or may not be unmolested. The rebuilt shock I have, that I believe is incorrectly assembled seems to be off quite a bit from what shows in your photo.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 19, 2021 5:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

I have tried everything I know to press the pivot shaft out of the junk housing I have and even with a 12 ton press, it won't budge. Without completely demolishing the housing I have no idea what to try next. I have a good, bare housing and had planned to use the piston assembly, pivot shaft and lever arm to assemble a complete shock assembly with a new seal, and wind up with serviceable shock, but not getting anywhere so far. Any suggestions anyone ?
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nlorntson
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

Apple Hydraulics.
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geneL3c Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

Apple Hydraulics are the ones who assembled my shocks with the lever arm incorrectly indexed, but thanks for taking the time to offer a helping hand.
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ZENVWDRIVER
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:38 am    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

10w hydraulic jack oil or a heavier weight if they're a bit leaky is what we used - z
...sells oil, by the quart - https://www.applehydraulicsonline.com/
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 10:56 am    Post subject: Re: Lever Shock Reply with quote

geneL3c wrote:
I have tried everything I know to press the pivot shaft out of the junk housing I have and even with a 12 ton press, it won't budge. Without completely demolishing the housing I have no idea what to try next. I have a good, bare housing and had planned to use the piston assembly, pivot shaft and lever arm to assemble a complete shock assembly with a new seal, and wind up with serviceable shock, but not getting anywhere so far. Any suggestions anyone ?


Heat up the arm around the shaft (not the shaft directly) with an acetylene torch and then try pressing it out.
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