The Ford Barn

springerpete · 10-22-2022, 09:09 AM

I have 4 Stipe/Houdaille shocks on my A roadster. I put the car up for the winter because of salt on our roads. My question is lubing them next spring. Each shock link has a grease fitting on the bottom but I am a bit concerned about the top. I can't figure that grease put in in the bottom is going to reach the top. Getting past the bottom ball, even the brass ball caps, spring and spacer with their holes seems like a difficult job for the grease to do. Pressure from the gun passes the grease out through the grease seal and clip. Am I better to lube the bottom fitting and then take the threaded cap and ball cap off the top of the link and put grease in there ?
What do you folks do ? I'll be pleased to read your suggestions. Thanks, Bill

Brentwood Bob · 10-22-2022, 12:19 PM

I have seen a mod adding a zerk in the cap for this problem. A small zerk.

Brentwood Bob · 10-22-2022, 01:06 PM

Tiny's tips.

springerpete · 10-22-2022, 01:29 PM

Adding a grease fitting to the top plug might work after you figure out how to still use the cotter pin. As you say, a very small fitting.
I am also puzzled by seeing pictures that show the grease fitting at the top of the shock, not the bottom. See Ford Service Bulletin page 205. I also read in these bulletins to continue putting in grease till it comes out the bottom and top grease seals. I guess that works but its kinda wasteful and messy.

Brentwood Bob · 10-22-2022, 01:41 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There were changes to the link. Judging standards show that.
At least you are greasing stuff. We don't have salt to contend with, but we do have rough roads.

10-22-2022, 09:09 AM	#1
springerpete Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Maine Posts: 645	shock lube question I have 4 Stipe/Houdaille shocks on my A roadster. I put the car up for the winter because of salt on our roads. My question is lubing them next spring. Each shock link has a grease fitting on the bottom but I am a bit concerned about the top. I can't figure that grease put in in the bottom is going to reach the top. Getting past the bottom ball, even the brass ball caps, spring and spacer with their holes seems like a difficult job for the grease to do. Pressure from the gun passes the grease out through the grease seal and clip. Am I better to lube the bottom fitting and then take the threaded cap and ball cap off the top of the link and put grease in there ? What do you folks do ? I'll be pleased to read your suggestions. Thanks, Bill

10-22-2022, 12:19 PM	#2
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,264	Re: shock lube question I have seen a mod adding a zerk in the cap for this problem. A small zerk.

10-22-2022, 01:06 PM	#3
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,264	Re: shock lube question Tiny's tips.

10-22-2022, 01:29 PM	#4
springerpete Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Maine Posts: 645	Re: shock lube question Adding a grease fitting to the top plug might work after you figure out how to still use the cotter pin. As you say, a very small fitting. I am also puzzled by seeing pictures that show the grease fitting at the top of the shock, not the bottom. See Ford Service Bulletin page 205. I also read in these bulletins to continue putting in grease till it comes out the bottom and top grease seals. I guess that works but its kinda wasteful and messy.

10-22-2022, 01:41 PM	#5
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,264	Re: shock lube question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There were changes to the link. Judging standards show that. At least you are greasing stuff. We don't have salt to contend with, but we do have rough roads.