Reg Evans Posted January 12, 2009 Report Posted January 12, 2009 My 35 Dodge is equipped with knee action shocks and they aren't working any more. I know I could send them out for rebuilding but wondered if anyone here has replaced knee actions with more modern shocks. Does someone sell a kit ? Quote
TodFitch Posted January 12, 2009 Report Posted January 12, 2009 "Knee action" was a Chevy trade name for their independent front suspension. What I see in your photos are "lever arm shock absorbers". Have you tried simply refilling them? That is often all it takes. Hydraulic jack oil can be used for the fluid. Quote
greg g Posted January 12, 2009 Report Posted January 12, 2009 Well Reg, my dad had a 35 Chevy with the knee action front end. He told stories of trying to fix it several times, frustrated he finally decided to Whiz on it to see if it helped. Found this in his garage a couple years back, he apparently got rid of the car before getting it fixed. I believe this might have been the beginning of his MOPAR ownership. I have had the ones on my AH sprite apart for new seals, like rebuilding a wheel cylinder of parts are avaialbe. Mine, just filled them wiht STP. worked great for auto crossing.....Apple Hydraulics will rebuild or may have parts if you want to tackle them. The STP trick is a bit over the top for street use. http://www.applehydraulics.com/index.htm Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Posted January 12, 2009 Thanks Todd and Greg. I'll try refilling them for now. I wonder if hydraulic tractor fluid will work the same as jack oil? I have 5 gallons of the tractor fluid on hand. Neat old can Greg ! Quote
greg g Posted January 12, 2009 Report Posted January 12, 2009 Don't see why tractor fluid or jack oil wouldn't work. By the way the can has never been opened. I thik you could use Motorcycle front fork oil to good purpose also. Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted January 13, 2009 Report Posted January 13, 2009 Gregg is correct. I've used motorcycle fork oil on my '35 shocks. It works just fine. My shock leak a little and I have to top them off once or twice a year. It makes a big difference. Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 13, 2009 Author Report Posted January 13, 2009 Does it matter what position the arm is in when filling ? Quote
greg g Posted January 13, 2009 Report Posted January 13, 2009 I would put it so the plunger is at the opposite end from filler port. Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted January 13, 2009 Report Posted January 13, 2009 Okay, let's see if my feeble mind can remember.... I'm thinking that I disconnected the link so I could pump the arm up and down to get the air out. Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 13, 2009 Author Report Posted January 13, 2009 Anybody have an exploded view of one of these shocks ? Quote
TodFitch Posted January 13, 2009 Report Posted January 13, 2009 Okay, let's see if my feeble mind can remember....I'm thinking that I disconnected the link so I could pump the arm up and down to get the air out. My feeble memory is the same as Jim's. Quote
TodFitch Posted January 13, 2009 Report Posted January 13, 2009 Anybody have an exploded view of one of these shocks ? I believe I have seen one in a past issue of Skinned Knuckles. It might take a while to dig up. Quote
greg g Posted January 13, 2009 Report Posted January 13, 2009 http://forum.olskoolrodz.com/showthread.php?p=588804 reg the similar type units were used on early 40's Stidebaker Pickups. I have posted a request for guidance on the Studebaker truck board to see if any one can be of assistance. Think yours are delco variety similar to the Studie type. Can you read French?? This is from the AACA site http://forums.aaca.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/534852/Re_Reconditioning_Lever_action Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 13, 2009 Author Report Posted January 13, 2009 Thanks for the sploded view Greg. Well.....Yes, I can read french out loud but I haven't the foggiest idea what I'm saying Quote
greg g Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 From the Studie Truck board, couple good tips here. Seems like they are like fluid drive, as long as they have fluid in them they work. by JeffR My experience with this is somewhat limited, but I will share it with you. I have 'serviced' several sets of lever action shocks. Here's what I did. Read the service manual, then put it away and try to remember what you read when you actually get around to doing this... Then.... Remove the shocks from the frame. Replace all the rubber link ends. Remove the fill cap. Mount upside down in a vice and cycle so the old fluid drains into a bucket. It will take a big wrench (or socket and long extension) to cycle the shock. There's a pretty good spring in there. (Note: Resist the temptation to upright the shock in the vice and cycle it while peering into the hole to see 'how it works'.... That old BLACK fluid will make you look real funny when you go back into the house) Refill with straight 50wt Valvoline Racing oil. Screw the fill cap on a few threads. Cycle the shock a half dozen times. Refill and reinstall cap. Put them back on and forget about them for another forty years. Hope the info helps. Jeff Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 14, 2009 Author Report Posted January 14, 2009 Hummmmm....so 50wt motor oil instead of hydraulic oil ???? Quote
greg g Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 I suppose you can tweak your ride attributes by mesing with the viscosity. I believe if you want you can get the actual juice from kanter, probably something else repacked in their expensive can. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 I wonder why the specific mention of racing oil. I would think any 50w would do the same thing. Quote
TodFitch Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 Anyone know that the differences between hydraulic oil, hydraulic shock oil, hydraulic jack oil, motorcycle strut oil and engine oil in regards to materials compatibility and/or foaming? I would be more inclined to use a hydraulic oil (shock, jack or motorcycle strut) before I used a motor oil. Seems like it would be a safer guess on materials compatibility, etc. Quote
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