Time to oil the shock absorbers

[41 Su8]

After driving my car for a few days, I decided to check the shocks for oil.  After adding oil, the ride was 100 per cent better. I have been using hydraulic jack oil but was wondering if heavier oil would not leak out as fast.  It has been 3 years since I filled them last.  Jus wondering.

[41 Su8]

Doesn't ride hard now.  Just wondering if heavier oil is better.

[Brass is Best]

I think GM in the 1940's called for 10W oil in shocks.

[zepher]

Depends on the type of shocks.

The Houdaille shocks on my Pierce are supposed to be kept topped off with mineral oil if I remember my owner's manual correctly.

 

Edit: thanks Jeff for jogging my memory

 

Edited May 21, 2020 by zepher (see edit history)

[Jeff Perkins / Mn]

In the Model A segment of the hobby there have been a myriad of suggestions and uses. I used mineral oil in my Houdaille shocks. In my current Model A I have installed tube shocks.

[edinmass]

Motorcycle fork oil......comes in many weights.........10 is usually accepted as the "standard" and you can go up and down in 5 denominations, and you don't have to buy too much.

[Rusty_OToole]

If they are leaking that bad they need new seals or a rebuild. Once you price them you may decide topping them up once every 2 or 3 years is a small price to pay. An old trick is to wind string or a strip of rag around the shaft to slow down leaks.

[41 Su8]

I think topping them up once every 3 years is what I will do. Now using hydraulic jack oil.

[zepher]

On 5/21/2020 at 11:15 AM, Rusty_OToole said:

Once you price them you may decide topping them up once every 2 or 3 years is a small price to pay.

 

I had some definite sticker shock when I had the shocks on my Pierce rebuilt.

And all they needed were seals, the shafts and all internals were fine.

It makes me want to build the jigs I would need to be able to rebuild them myself.

[Rusty_OToole]

By the way, heavier oil won't stop the leaks or even slow them down much but may change the action of the shocks. If you want to experiment they make different weights of motorcycle shock oil.