Guest Roadster911 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Hello, can anyone point me to source for replacement rear shocks for my '55 Buick Special. Mine are missing completely, it's sitting on springs only. Thank you, have a great day. Roman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Our Buicks had lever double action shocks from the factory. I have the factory supplied shocks on mine. The normal procedure is to rebuild the shocks. Your shocks being absent makes this problematic... The price of a pair of lever double acting shocks is shocking !!Kanter Auto - Product DetailLEVER ACTION SHOCKSWe supply a full line of quality rebuilt lever action shocks.The best way to improve the handling of your car is with a new set of shock absorbers from Kanter Auto Products. New shock absorbers keep your wheels in contact with the road and improve steering response and control as well as braking safety and efficiency. A smooth steady ride adds to your driving pleasure and peace of mind and our Limited Lifetime Warranty is your assurance of quality and value.[TABLE=width: 504]<tbody>[TR][TD] description[/TD][TD][/TD][TD]price per each[/TD][TD]quantity[/TD][TD]total[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Item # 04175G[/TD][TD][/TD][TD=colspan: 4] [/TD][/TR][TR][TD=class: productdetaildescription, width: 187]Lever Action Shock 1954 - 1955 Buickrear Exchange only[/TD][TD=class: productdetaildescription, width: 21][/TD][TD=class: productdetaildescription, width: 87]$179.00[/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]Ebay might be a source. Or, you could go the route of converting to telescoping shocks (as used on '56 Buicks)But, after the required modifications for Lever shocks to telescoping shocks the cost might even be more.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 yeah, that's why I was asking members since Kanter was the only source I could find.... well, will have to wait and see if another member has a set or it comes up on ebay... I had no idea of this setup since it's all gone.... or maybe it's just the absorbers missing, I have to look again, haven't' had the car in air yet and it sits pretty low. Thank you anyway. If by any chance you have picture of what it looks like from underneath, share it, thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Those in the Kanter illustration are an earlier GM version . I was looking yesterday for a thread on a '54 Roadmaster .... but apparently it has been deleted...I'll look again to see what I can find.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 These Pictures are not mine. I lifted them from AACA forum and Team Buick ForumI found some photos from this , very long thread. http://forums.aaca.org/f163/55-century-convertible-project-272999-14.htmlI lifted the photos and pasted them here;Here's a thread that conversion to telescope shocks;Rear shocks century 1955these are a '52 Buick , not the same as '55. but, similar; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 James did a great job on researching the problem and cure! If the shocks in fact are missing, then you can consider converting to tube type or get some used ones (complete setup), fill with hydraulic jack fluid and install. If they are leakers, then see my website (Low tech tips for mid 50) for my solution. The lever shocks are much maligned mainly because they are 'different' and old technology, when in fact they will outlast the car unless run dry for a long time --- you cannot wear them out.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Oh, wonderful. You guys are gonna laugh but it appears I had it ALL wrong! Not being familiar with this set up and new to Buick in general, I expected a shock absorber coming through the spring and since there's none I assumed it's missing. Looking at the pictures you provided, I believe I have all THAT in place!!{???} But the rear end is bouncing around like crazy, could it be just low fluid?? Again, thank you. Roman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Sounds like your shock links may be missing or unattached. Or it may just be the Buick ride....click this thumbnail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 will check it out asap now that I know what I'm looking at :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks y'all, I was going to post that pic as soon as I found it. I knew it was around somewhere...Somebody did a nice job on that car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Had mine rebuilt at Apple Hydraulics. They offer exchange or rebuilds, may have a source for replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Oh, wonderful. You guys are gonna laugh but it appears I had it ALL wrong! Not being familiar with this set up and new to Buick in general, I expected a shock absorber coming through the spring and since there's none I assumed it's missing. Looking at the pictures you provided, I believe I have all THAT in place!!{???} But the rear end is bouncing around like crazy, could it be just low fluid?? Again, thank you. RomanThe shocks on mine are the factory shocks. They've been rebuilt twice, now. Yours probably need rebuilding. Or it could be they are low on fluid......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Took a look under and sure enough it's all there. Posting few pictures. The connecting links are very loose though, missing bushings and two different lengths... is it stock that passenger side is shorter? Also, cant find the link on how to refill shocks, can anyone point it out? Can it be done mounted or have to be removed? Thank you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 you need to get a copy of the '55 shop manual. There are copies on EBay print and on CD.When My camera is handy i'll take a picture (and post it here) of the shop manual section on filling the shocks. .... you'll need to clean off the top of the shock real good. Get all the dirt off there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 my camera is busted. I took pictures with my cheesy blackberry phone. But, maybe this will be enough for you to get the idea.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 well shucks..When I put those in my photo bucket they were right side up.Some of them rotated .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 big THX James, I'll go through it and will get my own manual right away. I'll keep up with progress but time is limited during work week. Thank you. Roman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 The shock links were not different lengths. Shock Links 1951-55 (See List) SL-513 is what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 dual exhaust 55.....if you still have the car jacked up can you please take pictures of the left exhaust pipe routing from the manifold back. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 The shock links were not different lengths. Shock Links 1951-55 (See List) SL-513 is what you need.thank you thank you got them right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 dual exhaust 55.....if you still have the car jacked up can you please take pictures of the left exhaust pipe routing from the manifold back. Thanks Im not with the car till end of the week, will do then for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Old-Tank has it right. If the length of the shock links are different it means someone replaced one with the wrong part, likely one for prior to 1951 when they were in the range of 7 and 1/4 inches center to center of threaded ends.Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roadster911 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I took the shots, not the best quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Thanks Roadster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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