VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 mushy ride

My wonderful '41 sedan rides OK until I come upon a bump in the road and then it almost seems like I am on a trampoline. Is this likely a shock absorber (do they actually have shocks) problem or a problem with the springs or both? What options do I have to bring the old girl back into tip top shape?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

PS: I really love the old cars.

Your car actually has shocks, front and rear. The fronts are part of the upper control arms. Try filling them by taking the wheel off and finding the small plug on top. Clean around it before removing it. Use hydraulic jack fluid and if that leaks out try # 10 engine oil. Chances are that they will leak. 39 to 48 upper control arm shocks are the same. The rear are double acting lever shocks. They also have a filler plugs, but I took mine off to fill them and they worked fine after filling...Rear shocks are needed especially for braking over rough surfaces, otherwise the rear end just bounces all over the road..If the fronts aren't working you might get seasick...

The following may be of interest. It is taken from the Chevrolet 1941 Shop Manual For All Passenger Cars and Trucks.

"The spring shock absorers should be kept filled with a low viscosity (light body) shock insulation fluid, that has a pour test not higher than 30 degrees below zero. The shock insulation fluid should have a viscosity range from 70 to 80 seconds at 100 degrees F. and should not exceed 975 to 1,000 seconds at 20 degree F. Note- do not, under any circumstances, use a shock insulation fluid heavier in viscosity, or body, than that recommended above."

I assume the recommendation cited above meets these standards, however, I just thought you might find this of interest. The following may also be of interest.

The manual also suggests that before you do any repair on shock absorbers, "....lubricate the car springs and shackles and check the air paressure in the tires to see that it does not exceed the recommended pressure."

DML

The "standards" were for the "engineered" shock resistance at all possible temperatures. Hydraulic jack oil will equal these requirements. Permatex brand jack oil even had the shock filling instructions right on the container. #10 oil will be slightly heavier and would slow the leaks. Could even use 10W-30 oil but would firm up the ride too much under normal conditions. The problem is that once they leak dry and are driven empty it wears out the seal and shock parts in a hurry and the fluid leaks out fast. Still worth a try to fill. Get a real small funnel, top off, bounce car to remove air, and top off again.
If the shocks were serviced as recommended they lasted forever. After a few years most owners never serviced them and they wore out. We used to replace them at 40,000 miles when they were not serviced as required.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Gary

There was an article in one of the old car magazines about "mushy rides" on classic cars. One of the things suggested was putting rubber spacers(available at most auto parts stores) between the springs to firm up the ride.

I am not recommending this as I have never done it, and I suspect there is a down side. However, I suspect others more knowledgable than I will quickly point out any downside if there is one, or confirm if it is a good idea.

The spacers will raise the height of the car but little else. If not properly done could place too much stress on the coil next to the spacer and cause the spring to break....especially with a spring over 60 years old.
No 1948 or prior Chevrolet ever had a mushy ride if the shock absorbers were functioning properly. The older Chevrolets always a firm and controlled ride.