Used shocks

[Clem Clement]

I'm foolin with some used shocks I grabbed from the Westminster show. On first attempt to measure them it took 14-16 pounds of pull to move the arms. That is more that the shocks I have on my 39 peeekup. So before I install them I thunk I would check the oil level. Upon turning one over nothing drained out. Do I flush them out, or just refill them?

[BILL WZOREK]

Clem:
I have been asked this from time to time.
As simple as the question sounds it is hard to answer in relation to the way these shocks work.
The part that is empty Or you want to & can drain is just the reservoir under that is where the pressure is made.
There is check ball that as oil is needed in the pressure side of the shock the ball is sucked in and the needed oil fills the chamber.
If no oil is needed no oil passes in to the chamber / I say no oil but in reality there is a very small amount that may mix with existing oil as the shock goes trough it's up & down motion of the arm.
I could not even guess how long it would take to completely get all the oil on the pressure side of the shock to completely change with the oil from the reservoir.

It would be like trying to do a complete oil change by putting 1 qt. of oil in the oil filter
and running the car then repeat the proses till all the oil is changed & clean.

When you pulled the fill plug was there any oil traces on the bottom of the plug.
if rusty you have a problem. if oil was found fill & run.
Keep in mind the oil went some where.
so if it leaks just a small amount keep it full and enjoy the ride
But if leaking a lot attention is needed.
what ever you do DON'T let them run dry they will self destruct in a very short time.

[Clem Clement]

Thanks bill and best wishes to you.
The plug looked wet, so I'll refill and install them.
What lever do you recommend? Ford documentation I have sez either 1/4 below the refill hole or 1" below the hole.
TIA, Clem

[BILL WZOREK]

I was taught by my mentor Louis Trique to fill till it just drips out past the threads.
The thought being if they wanted it that low they would have put the hole down there !!!

[Clem Clement]

Well: #$#%^%^&^&((

I cleaned up 2 of my new found chocks and tried to install 46 Ford shocks in a 39 frame. Guess what: them post war shocks have a bigger footprint. On eof the shocks that came with my car had the holes elongated and now I know why.

So I'm hoping the the bigger body of the shock means better performance. I'll be busy elongating shock holes for a while....

[BILL WZOREK]

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Clem
They will be fine !!!
Elongate the holes and use um ~~~

[Clem Clement]

Will do. thanks.
ain't nuthin easy no mor!

[Clem Clement]

I filled one of my new-to-me shocks and was testing it when it froze. I had it in a vise but I can't imagine that I squeezed it too hard. I'm guessing hydraulic lock. Do I open it and let it drain to free the lock or?

[Drbrown]

My Ford Dealer Service Manual says fill to top. It's also worth noting that the shocks are not designed to operate with equal resistance in both directions. Without re-reading manual ... I think downward movement provides less resistance than upward (?) Good time to get yourself a copy of the manual for your model; bought mine from Mac's.

[BILL WZOREK]

Clem:
It IS possible to squeeze the body to cause a bind but not lock up. How ever you may have to play with the adjuster to loose some of the pressure .
THERE IS A WARNING THAT GOES WITH THIS.
THE SHAFT OF THE ADJUSTER TURNER IS ONLY 1/4" THICK WITH THE END MACHINED DOWN TO A 1/16" STRAIGHT SCREW DRIVER END..

At a talk I did at Saratoga NY, I set up a demonstration that showed that these screw driver ends would BRAKE OFF with as little as 1 - 2 lbs. of pressure. So try to move it back & forth a little first to ensure that it will move.
Once the end brake's off I have yet been able to find a way to retrieve the broken part.

GOOD LUCK

[Clem Clement]

I adjusted the pointer and the shock worked. then it quit again? I have threatened to replace it with a chebby part. That aughta fix it.

[BILL WZOREK]

Whoaaaaa Boy, we will get you through it.
Works / don't work is a indication that there is air mixed with the oil.
Fill the shock with oil put plug in.
set adjuster so there is no or little pressure in either directions go through at least 20 cycles ( up & down equals one cycle ) check & fill oil ~ repeat process ~ if full but oil is frothy put plug on loosely leave set for around 24 Hours check oil level fill as needed & repeat the process as needed till the oil has no signs of air mixed with it. When all set reset the adjuster and go for a ride.

[Clem Clement]

Well,
I was turning the adjustment pointer and talking trains on the phone. Turns out the pointer's stop arm is missing. I may have turned more that one turn. So I stopped. fooling withi t .