VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 39 Master DeLuxe shock absorbers

Hi there guys, can you service the shock absorbers on a 39 Chevy and if it's possible, how do you do it?

Not sure as to what you mean by "service" but there is a small plug on top for topping off the fluid.Modern hydralic jack oil may be used.If after adding fluid and they leak at the inner shafts new shocks will be required.There are shock rebuilders in the US that rebuild these.Also new old stock are available.Either way they can be pricy.They fit 1939 thru 1948.

Not sure as to what you mean by "service" but there is a small plug on top for topping off the fluid.Modern hydralic jack oil may be used.If after adding fluid and they leak at the inner shafts new shocks will be required.There are shock rebuilders in the US that rebuild these.Also new old stock are available.Either way they can be pricy.They fit 1939 thru 1948.

Chevnut,

Saw your reply to "oldtimernut" about his 39 Master Deluxe shocks, and wondered if there is an equivalent small shock absorber filler hole on the 40 "knee action" shocks. couldn't find reference to it in my 40 Chev Shop Manual on either pages 51 or 62.

When my friends and I had the 40 on the rack to replace a LOT of stuff (brakes, king pins, master cylinder, 1 brake drum, vacuum shift boot, etc., etc., etc.,), including a complete lube job, and tightening a lot of things in the drive train prior to the torque tube, we could not find anywhere to refill the front shocks. This doen't mean it isn't there.just may have been hidden by 40 years worth of a mixture of hardened grease and Minnesota gravel road dust like the rest of the undercarriage.

Then I vaguely recall that someone on the forum was told that if the car bounces like my uncles 39 Packard, it's time to replace the front shocks.

OK! This d---ed Microsoft widows 98 has decided to not allow me to edit this so I am signing off.

docB

The filler plug is located on the top of the shock,at the very highest point.On the inner edge (towards frame) just forward of center.Small hex plug.If low on fluid you can bounce car and it will continue to bounce several times more.These were fairly stiff with good shocks.There is also a filler plug on rear shocks.Its on the very top of the stamped metal plate that is attached unto the front of the shock--square plug here.

Chev Nut,

OK, thanks! With your help, I finally found (under about an inch of "muck') where the 'top-up' hex nut, filler hole is (turns out the location was in my beat-up, but original, 'Owners Manual'). But could you suggest some name brands or viscosity range or other descriptors for the type of fluid to use, other than 'modern hydraulic jack fluid'?

And yes, my shocks are either shot or completely lacking in fluid, because the last time I drove the car (about 10 years ago), and all the time I drove it when I was young and stupid, it was very stiff and rode like the proverbial "lumber wagon". Now, however, it bounces like my aforementioned, late Uncles 39 Packard (that car smoothed out those rural Minnesota washboard country gravel roads like nothing I have ever experienced before, or since). This is not at all unpleasant and sort of fun, but not right and could lead to more expensive problems.

DocB

DocB,

Go to any hardware or autoparts store and ask for hydraulic jack oil. They should know what you need. It is the same stuff you put in small hydraulic jacks for automotive use. Don't be surprised if it all runs out the bottom. The rubber seals in the knee actions could be all dried up by now.

docB..If jack oil (found next the floor jacks in parts stores) leaks out you may try a "heavier" oil.It will stiffen up the shocks a little in cold weather but slow down the leakage.Not sure if the seals were cork or a rubber dervitive but a bit of brake fluid will swell or soften the rubber.Years ago if filled some with #90 and was stiff as a board. ...............When my floor jack leaked I added some automatic transmission sealer (Trans X) to the jack oil and leak stopped and has been OK for the last ten years.