Shock Absorber Fluid for '37 Buick: What's recommended

[PeteO]

My shocks are quite weak.  Fifty  years ago I used hydraulic lift fluid to top off the shocks. What's recommended these days?

[MCHinson]

Typically you can find hydraulic jack oil at auto parts houses. That will work. 

[Rusty_OToole]

They are supposed to use Knee Action Fluid, haven't seen it in years. Hydraulic jack oil is the usual substitute. They make fork oil for motorcycles in various weights that might work too.

[Bloo]

I am using jack oil in my 36 Pontiac in the one shock that was low on oil. It has Delco-Lovejoy lever shocks, very similar those used on the 37 Buick. The jack oil seems to work fine.

 

A better plan might be to contact one of the companies who rebuild lever shocks and ask. Here are a couple:

 

http://www.applehydraulics.com/shocks.htm

 

https://fivepointsclassicautoshocks.com/

 

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Edited February 13, 2021 by Bloo (see edit history)

[ojh]

I use motorcycle shock oil, been happy with 20wt.

[PeteO]

 

Thanks all for the replies. It looks like the jack or motorcycle fluids will work nicely. Off to the store I go.

[dibarlaw]

PeteO:

 I just came across this. I did an article for our Chapter newsletter about changing out the rear shocks on my 1937. It is a word file. If interested PM me. I actually had a gallon of the Knee Action fluid. 1939 printing date on the can. The shocks I had changed to I purchased as rebuilt units in 1988. I just installed them in October 2020. The filling of the rear shocks is almost impossible unless you can work on a hoist. I was working in my drive way.

Since I was going to use fresh fluid I decided to change out what was in there.

 What was there ...... The stench was bad enough to knock a buzzard of a sh** wagon!

 

Edited February 25, 2021 by dibarlaw
spelling (see edit history)

[Rusty_OToole]

Since you have some original Delco shock oil I wonder if it could be analysed and duplicated by one of the makers of vintage type oils? I'm sure there would be a market for it.

[rodneybeauchamp]

Penrite in Australia market a shock absorber oil. Bought some but left it for the new owner to use. So can’t comment on effectiveness.

Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀

[Ray34]

From Penrite here in Aus. https://www.penriteoil.com.au/applications/speciality/vintage-classic/shocker-oil-1

[Bloo]

For those who happen to be in the US, Restoration Supply handles Penrite.

 

https://restorationstuff.com/

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[Buick35]

On 2/25/2021 at 10:30 AM, dibarlaw said:

PeteO:

 I just came across this. I did an article for our Chapter newsletter about changing out the rear shocks on my 1937. It is a word file. If interested PM me. I actually had a gallon of the Knee Action fluid. 1939 printing date on the can. The shocks I had changed to I purchased as rebuilt units in 1988. I just installed them in October 2020. The filling of the rear shocks is almost impossible unless you can work on a hoist. I was working in my drive way.

Since I was going to use fresh fluid I decided to change out what was in there.

 What was there ...... The stench was bad enough to knock a buzzard of a sh** wagon!

 

I'm servicing mine on my 35 Buick.Yours looks good. What kind of paint did you use on them? Thanks.

[dibarlaw]

Buick35:

 The paint on the rebuilt shocks is what was on them when I bought them at the Hershey flea market back in 1988. The shock links were NOS out of the box. I did touch them up with a "Duplicolor" semi gloss black. I could not find the correct bushing cap washers. I did not have time to order a set so I cleaned /primed and painted them silver. Originals were Cad plated.