The Ford Barn

DD931 · 02-18-2019, 04:08 PM

I just bought a set of rebuilt shocks at a fair price. They do not say "Houdaille" on them and the rebuilder says they are repops from maybe the 70's. Made in Chicago. He says he used 80/90 wt. gear oil as fluid. In principal, that seems to be OK, but I'm interested in your comments! What's the viscosity of proper shock fluid?

Beater · 02-18-2019, 09:12 PM

I use straight 30 engine oil in mine

Tom Wesenberg · 02-18-2019, 09:44 PM

Use thicker oil to make up for wear.

Flathead · 02-18-2019, 10:15 PM

The right fluid depends a lot on how tight the internal clearances are. If the rebuilder says 80/90 I would go with that.

daveymc29 · 02-18-2019, 11:41 PM

Is there aa chance the thicker oil will slow down the leaking? I have two sets that came from a reputable rebuilder who is no longer with us. Both sets were filled by him and leaked from day one. The oil is about the consistency of hydraulic jack fluid and gave a fair ride but it is getting about dry now, so I have been reluctantly contemplating going with the heavier oil or tube shocks. I haven't had the best of luck with rebuilt shocks, all leak upon installation and a short ride. I have heard here that new shocks now don't leak if you spend enough money, but have never actually seen a shock that doesn't leak. Thanks for any suggestions.

denniskliesen · 02-19-2019, 03:20 AM

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Dave I've read a lot of leaking shock posts in the past. It just didn't make sense to try and rebuild old worn out or froze up shocks that I've also read leaked coming out the door from a dealer when they were new. Granted I paid a lot of money for a set of Stipe shocks, they are bone dry after 2 years. Hopefully they will stay that way. Too bad I didn't know you had never seen a shock that doesn't leak when we were at the MAFCA convention last year, I could have shown you mine.

old31 · 02-19-2019, 05:57 AM

I have a set of Brattons (bill stipe) that I have had for 4000 miles and they have been leak proof for that time. Yes they are expensive.

Ruth · 02-19-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old31

I have a set of Brattons (bill stipe) that I have had for 4000 miles and they have been leak proof for that time. Yes they are expensive.

I don't think the shocks Bratton's sells are from Bill Stipe. Bratton's shocks are 'factory sealed'.

02-18-2019, 04:08 PM	#1
DD931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA Poconos Posts: 723	Shock fluid/oil I just bought a set of rebuilt shocks at a fair price. They do not say "Houdaille" on them and the rebuilder says they are repops from maybe the 70's. Made in Chicago. He says he used 80/90 wt. gear oil as fluid. In principal, that seems to be OK, but I'm interested in your comments! What's the viscosity of proper shock fluid?

02-18-2019, 09:12 PM	#2
Beater Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Southern Alberta Posts: 582	Re: Shock fluid/oil I use straight 30 engine oil in mine

02-18-2019, 09:44 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Shock fluid/oil Use thicker oil to make up for wear.

02-18-2019, 10:15 PM	#4
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,498	Re: Shock fluid/oil The right fluid depends a lot on how tight the internal clearances are. If the rebuilder says 80/90 I would go with that.

02-18-2019, 11:41 PM	#5
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: Shock fluid/oil Is there aa chance the thicker oil will slow down the leaking? I have two sets that came from a reputable rebuilder who is no longer with us. Both sets were filled by him and leaked from day one. The oil is about the consistency of hydraulic jack fluid and gave a fair ride but it is getting about dry now, so I have been reluctantly contemplating going with the heavier oil or tube shocks. I haven't had the best of luck with rebuilt shocks, all leak upon installation and a short ride. I have heard here that new shocks now don't leak if you spend enough money, but have never actually seen a shock that doesn't leak. Thanks for any suggestions.

02-19-2019, 03:20 AM	#6
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: Shock fluid/oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Dave I've read a lot of leaking shock posts in the past. It just didn't make sense to try and rebuild old worn out or froze up shocks that I've also read leaked coming out the door from a dealer when they were new. Granted I paid a lot of money for a set of Stipe shocks, they are bone dry after 2 years. Hopefully they will stay that way. Too bad I didn't know you had never seen a shock that doesn't leak when we were at the MAFCA convention last year, I could have shown you mine.

02-19-2019, 05:57 AM	#7
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,098	Re: Shock fluid/oil I have a set of Brattons (bill stipe) that I have had for 4000 miles and they have been leak proof for that time. Yes they are expensive.