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gmann Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2006 Posts: 11
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:58 pm Post subject: Lever Shock |
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Can anyone help me?
What fluid goes in the shock and how much do you fill it?
Does anyone rebuild them?
Thanks in advance.
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RareAir Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 14576 Location: 18 miles North of the border
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52panelvan Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2006 Posts: 350
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:13 am Post subject: |
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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 Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69734 Location: Phoenix Metro
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gmann Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2006 Posts: 11
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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vintagemx0 Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2005 Posts: 427 Location: Portland, Oregon USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Where ever you go, there you are. |
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UZI Platinum FUBU
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 13335 Location: phila-DELFT-ia
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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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? _________________ Extravagant Lifestyle
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mannys66: South Philly Van Club, only the most influential and freshest van club in the vw scene |
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Cuñado: Chrome will get you home!!!!!!!!!! |
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gmann Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2006 Posts: 11
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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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 Platinum FUBU
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 13335 Location: phila-DELFT-ia
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:11 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Extravagant Lifestyle
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mannys66: South Philly Van Club, only the most influential and freshest van club in the vw scene |
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Cuñado: Chrome will get you home!!!!!!!!!! |
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mattcuddy Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2003 Posts: 2035 Location: Philly, PA
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UZI Platinum FUBU
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 13335 Location: phila-DELFT-ia
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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that stuff is double the price of jack oil. _________________ Extravagant Lifestyle
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mannys66: South Philly Van Club, only the most influential and freshest van club in the vw scene |
Quote: |
Cuñado: Chrome will get you home!!!!!!!!!! |
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passoa55 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 571 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting information.
I need it also for my car, Januari 1950. _________________ 1950 Hebmuller #458
1955 lowlight lizard green
1955 original paint oval
1956 1600 super V-sunroof Porsche
1958 lowlight ghia black
1963 firetruckred 23 window
1967 SO42 westy
1969 original paint Westy
1970 one owner 1300L bug |
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geneL3c Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2007 Posts: 296 Location: Bridgehampton,NY
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2012 Posts: 123
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 1:49 am Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2007 Posts: 296 Location: Bridgehampton,NY
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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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geneL3c Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2007 Posts: 296 Location: Bridgehampton,NY
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2021 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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 Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004 Posts: 3776 Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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Apple Hydraulics. |
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geneL3c Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2007 Posts: 296 Location: Bridgehampton,NY
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:38 am Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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/ _________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
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nlorntson Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004 Posts: 3776 Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2021 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Lever Shock |
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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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