VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Rebuilding front shocks (Australia)

I have searched for detailed information about this, but can't find anything except that you can buy exchange rebuilt units,. It's a bit difficult (and very expensive) to send my leaky ones to the U.S. to be rebuilt. Has anyone rebuilt (or repaired the leaks at the shaft seals) on these, or is there anyone here in Australia who can attack them?
Or do I give up and install an external "standard" type shocker?
Mine leak fluid from the shaft as quick as you can pour it in.

I know what you mean..What a pain in the #@^%$, huh...? From what I gather the "seals" are acually leather...I got a NOS set still in the original box on ebay, a while back...Still ran me $375 US dollars...I would imagine someone "down under" must be rebuilding them...Probably the way to go...Modern shocks are not to hard to add...Leave the old one's on ( of course ) invovles a bit of welding for the new mounts, though....

Here's an article on how to rebuild knee action shocks on a 1935 Chevrolet.....might help.

Sounds like you might just need seals.

http://www.antiqueautoarchive.com/folders/Restoration/kneeaction/kneeactionpdfcompressed.pdf

Good Luck

Think there quite a bit different...

My 48 had tube shocks added to it when I bought it.I have pictures I can email if you want.

Hello, you can get these shocks rebuilt in Australia, but they are very expensive. I got quoted $370 each a couple of months ago.

That is a bit steep...I guess unless your car is in pretty good shape and you want to keep to original...I've seen Keith's "after market" set-up...He can show you you have to do if you want to "adapt" to tube shock's...

I would love to change to tube type shocks, but unfortunately because of our draconian Left Hand Drive laws in this state, I have to leave the originals, which means getting the old ones working. I'll start looking for a dead one and take it apart to see how it all works, If it's seals and some machining, I can do that myself.

I know that this comment is not 100% technical but feel an need to post it anyway. In my opinion there are many more advantages to living in Australia than the few laws that you might consider draconian. Love it or leave it attitude is paramount. Preservation of history and life style go hand in hand. So spending a few more $$$ to keep the shocks may be a real bargain all things being considered.

I had a 48 for some time. Every old car has its problem areas and with the 48 it is the shocks being integrated with the suspension and getting old.I was going to have them rebuilt but it was expensive and the fellow here in Sydney who did them retired so I just kept driving and topped them up every few months but yours appears worse than that. The first of the Holdens used the same system so you might get in touch with the club and see what they do. Obviously there are a lot more Holdens than Chevrolets. At the same time I see a Holden shock on E-Bay for around $600 so they must be expensive to do up too.Sounds like a good idea to cut open an old shock and see how it all goes if you have the skills.

I lean towards "topping" off ( can be messy )...'till I have time to tackle the situation...I wouldn't let them run dry, moving parts internally need some fluid...Although remember there's more to it than just replacing the rebuilt shocks...Finding other worn parts and re-alinement of the front wheels, when your done...It can turn out to be a time consumming project...Best 'o luck...Kevin