VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Using Grease in Front Shocks?

Hello everyone,

As per the request to keep topics separated, I am starting a new thread to discuss the use of grease or heavy oil in front shocks that are leaking on my 1941 Chevy.

My front shocks are in need of a rebuild, probably. I put 80w90 Gear Oil inside and it leaked out within minutes. No obvious leaks, just a slow/steady stream. The problem is, I cannot find rebuilt shocks to purchase here in Canada and nobody rebuilds them without sending them far away (at some huge expense), so for now I need to find a solution that lets the car ride a bit better.

Fortunately my rear shocks did take/hold oil well, so they are okay, but for the front, I have a couple of solutions I am working on.

The one solution which applies here is the thought to use some heavier grease so as to avoid the leaking for now. Is this something which might work? I assume once there is a chance to rebuild them it would be a matter of cleaning out the grease, but if this would work in the meantime, that would be better than having them empty/dry?

I also have my father making up custom mounting brackets to hide a pair of modern shocks in addition to the originals. That will help as well, and he is designing the mounts to be removed without much trace should I ever get the originals rebuilt. His comment was that the originals never worked all that well anyways, and so I should just leave his custom solution in place once he mounts them, but at least this will give me the option. So, even if grease or heavy oil isn't the perfect solution, there should also be some assistance from the newer-style shocks too.

I welcome your input on what oil/grease to use in these leaky shocks.

Shocks work by pushing oil through little holes. Gear oil is way too heavy. Jack oil is more like it. I have never heard of anyone trying to use grease, but I doubt it would want to go through any little holes quickly. I think you would probably break something with all that resistance. It is probably time to bite the bullet and have them rebuilt. I don't know of a source in Canada, but there may be one. Generally you send yours out for rebuild. AFAIK nobody stocks this stuff for exchange. Apple Hydraulics in NY can do it, and there is also a company in California.

Shipping costs will be murderous to NY or California. We're probably talking $500 just in shipping there and back. Maybe even more. Plus the rebuild cost itself. This is why I'm hoping to find a better pair at a flea market somewhere - just that I don't expect many of those to be going ahead this year due to current circumstances, so if I can buy some time that might save a lot of unnecessary cost.

The other option, of course, is just to let the new/hidden shocks that are being installed do the heavy work for now. Then I'd just leave the originals on and dry until I can find a better set or someone more local to rebuild.

I think the modern shocks will work well for you. I know of at least one person that has had them on a 42 for years with good success. If it is not a show car that sounds like your best alternative to getting your originals rebuilt.

etrex,

The way I see it is that you have three choices owing to your shocks seem ready for the junk pile or for use as cores.: They must be rebuildable to be used as credit.

a. Buy NOS ones on eBay and take a chance that they will serve for a relatively long time as compared to rebuilt ones. Rather expensive.

b. Buy rebuilt or send yours off to a rebuilder. Real, stroke causing, dang expensive. Check those now on eBay that have been rebuilt.

c. Attach modern ones .

I don't recommend "c."

Best,

Charlie

I agree with multiple ideas presented in this thread.

Any type of grease or even gear oil is too heavy for a lever arm shock. Most of us use jack oil. If I remember correctly your shocks are double acting. You should feel resistance to fast movement in either direction. There will be resistance from the internal spring in one direction but not the other.

The only cure for leakage is to rebuild them. I got about half way there when I modified the front shocks on my '37 to use a conventional oil seal to replace the old cork seal. I say half way because it slowed the rate of oil leakage but did not stop it. The problem is that the portion of the shaft of the shock that the seal runs on is pitted and worn. Typically the rest of the moving parts inside the shock are usable..

That is also why the rebuild is so expensive. They have to spray weld material onto the shaft and rebuild it to slightly oversize. Then the shaft is machined and polished back to the original dimensions. I have often wondered if a local shop that repairs electric motor and pump shafts with this process could rebuild the shock shaft.

I expect that any used shocks you find will leak also. Even of the shaft is not bad the cork seal will be deteriorated (dried, hard, and worn) so much that it needs replaced.

As an interim measure I converted my front axle to telescoping double acting shocks. The kit used the same upper mounting configuration as the original shocks. I did need a longer rear u-bolt on each spring to install a plate that is the lower shock mount. Given the way I use the car (more a daily driver from April through October) and how much better it rides, I doubt if I will spend the money to rebuild the originals. I did the full conversion for less than the cost of rebuilding one shock.

Otrex ....

I trust all is well with you in Toronto ....

A fellow VCCA member had his 1936 Dubonet front shocks rebuilt by local machinist who specializes in hydraulics.
May I suggest you take your shocks to the machinist to find out if he/she is up to the challenge.
My friend is quite happy with the results of his rebuild. I do not know what he paid for the rebuilt - his shipping costs were driving a few miles to the machinist.
Good luck with the rebuild.
Jim

Otrex I was fortunate to be able to get rebuilt shocks for my '41 Coupe. However, I would suggest you have your father install modern tube shocks on the front of your '41. They will give you better service and ride. I assume you are using your car for pleasure and occasional local car meets or shows. Unless you are going to an official VCCA show where thet check every nut and bolt now one will ever know you have tube shocks. Try it. You will like it. My 1941 Chevrolet 5 passenge Special Deluxe Coupe that I restored in 1999 is as close to original as I can get. to original. 99% of the people (average people) will not notice minor changes. Take care JIM

Let's make sure we are giving Oltrex good advice. I made an assumption that his car had lever arm shocks all around. Some assumed an independent front suspension with DuBonet shocks.

What model is the car and what is the suspension? Thanks for the clarification.

So not read this. It contains such nonsense that it would be a complete waist of you time. Even if you are hunkered down like me. and all the rest of the world. Accordingly, read at you own risk.

otrex

You may want to reconsider JAR's advice about the different shocks.

You see, unlike other Chevrolet years and models, 1941's are right sensitive. Somehow they know when they have been disrespected, like when corners are cut in their maintenance. Oh yes they do!

Their feeling could be severely injured and ,if egregious enough,even sadly prove fatal.

Such misconduct could prompt an emergency meeting of dedicated members of the Secret Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chevrolet's Best (SAPCCB) (1941, of course) Yes, that's right.

If you get the parts you need to rebuild the front end and do it right you won't regret it. On the other hand, if you follow the advice of others ... say from the "Show Me" State then there may be consequences

Say if you show disrespect to the the 1941 with installation of those silly tube shocks, then shortly thereafter the the Chief Potentate of the SAPCCB may send a few representatives to visit you. They seldom make mistakes as to addresses. Accordingly, I regret to inform you that if you should be prepared by sending the missus and kiddies to visit visit a relatives for a while. While the visit won't be too pleasant for you, no harm will come to the missus and kiddies but the SAPCCB doesn't want them scared out of their wits either. Hence the advisory to get them settled elsewhere until this blows over.


The deal here is to avoid the consequences brought on by (your) misconduct. Yes, triggering a visitation by representatives from the SAPCCB). "SAPS" for short. Say like if you suddenly snap awake in the wee hours and find a burning cross in the middle of your front yard, you can just ignore it. Yes, certain in your mind that you have done the right thing by your 1941. Just some juveniles with the wrong address.having some fun. You can then go on back to bed and snuggle up. Oops! Since the missus is not home, let's just leave that thought alone.

If you don't take my advice then you should buy a gun. Not that it will make any difference. The SAPCCB representatives will be ex-Green Berets. You won't see them at the yard party but they will be there. Will too!

So my advice is to think your choice through carefully as if your ...er comfort and the life of your 1941 depended on it. It could. The SAPCCB should be taken seriously. I do.

Best wishes,

Charlie

BTW: There were veterinarians standing by during the composition of this crap and I can assure that no animals were harmed in any way.

I enjoy the way that Charlie presents his guidance as much or more than the guidance itself.

His posts often remind me of a song by the rock group Styx. The song is "Too Much Time On My Hands".

Be safe Charlie!!

Since I am a Missouri Hilbilly (and proud of it) I did not realize I had fouled up by recommending that Ortex install non genuine epuipment on a sacred 1941 Chevrolet (Chevrolet best) therefore alenating the Chief Potentate of t he SAPCCB .In fact I did not know there was a SAPCCB until Charlie's post. News travels slow in the Qzark Mountians. I must scrutinize my post more closely in the future . I am in good standing with SAPCCB since my 1941 Chevrolet 5 passenger Special Deluxe Coupe does not have any "scab" parts except I do have an FM radio converter installed under the dash to receive FM radio stations. Love that "old" country music especially George Jones. Charlie, your words of wisdom are always welcome. I will try to adhere to the rules of our sacred SAPCCB club in the future. Regards JIM

Hope this will get you back on Charlie's good side!