VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Knee Action Shocks

Does anyone know the approximate weight of a knee action shock? I’m taking mine off my ”˜36 and shipping them out for rebuild.

about 70 pounds at the most.

Matt,
Who is doing your work?
Randy

Apple Hydraulics in New York, they are first class. I’ve used them before, if you need any information on lever shocks, talk to Lazar there. I’ve talked with him many times and he’s always been “right on” on diagnosing problems.

I acquired the 37 Master Deluxe Sedan back in May this year and have been getting to know it better by driving it every chance I get. I had the rear leaf springs replaced and rear shocks rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics but the elephant in the room for me is the DuBonnet Knee Action shocks up front. I topped up the shocks in July and it took quite a bit to fill them at that time but I found that they have only took 2 ounces each side 3-1/2 months later to top up. Now I'm thinking that maybe a rebuild isn't as urgent as I first feared. I wouldn't say it is like riding on a cloud as described by some others. I'm not sure how the ride compares as was designed. Even after the leaf spring/rear shocks update, the car does still lean to the driver’s side some but maybe not as much as before.

I’ve been searching the forums to gain what knowledge I can to make wiser decisions. There is some information but not all in one place and are seldom with pictures so they often leave me more confused. I certainly don't think I could rebuild them myself and may struggle to remove them to send to have Lazar rebuild them. So if my knees only needed topping up regularly and not surgery, I'd feel this great weight lifted and could concentrate on other vehicle updates.

Does there need to be a forum category just on Knee Action information if there isn't one already? There doesn't appear to be a VCCA technical advisor for knee action shocks.

---------------------------

Terry

VCCA # 58150

Knee-action ride qualities
The riding qualities of a knee-action Chevrolet were far beyond any 1930''s car with leaf springs including the 1937 Chevrolet Master. Was the only low priced car to offer a form of coil spring suspension. Ride would hhave been even better if double action shocks would hhave been used it the back suspension

The manual states that the fluid level should be checked every 1000 miles. If an oil heaiver than shock fluid is used the built-in shocks will cause a stiff ride due to the heavy oil not beig forced thru the shock valve openings easily.

The riding heigth of the unit is adjustable - see shop manual for instructions.

The original seal was only a cork packing and the packing nut is adjustable for stopping leakage - again see shop anual. After 70 years the corkprobably is long gone and you may hhave rebuilt units on the car. No one ever "fixed" them years ago but replaced them with factory rebuilt units.

there was a good article put together by an automotive writer and my self in the G&D pertaining to repacking the units to prevent leaks and removing the unit from the car was not necessary.

I can send you the article (with pictures) if you wish.

Gene,

I would like to have that article if you don't mind. You could e-mail it tome at doghair3@verizon.net

Thanks in advance,

Tom H.

Hi Gene,

I have a 1936 Chevy Master Deluxe that I inherited for my Pop's after his passing which had not been driven in 3 year's. I have freshened it up from front to rear but need to address the Knee action shock's leaking. Could you please email me the article you have on this issue. jeff4t5@yahoo.com

Thank you;
Pop's 36

Jeff,
I was having a problem. You should have recieved a total of five knee-antion pages.

Gene

Gene... I need to refresh or rebuild, my front shocks on my 1934 master 2 door sedan.. would you be willing to Email me the five pages as well.... Thank you for sharing this valuable info... Sunny sunnybabaspirit@yahoo.com

Hi Gene....Could you send the article to me too please. wannenburg.electrical@gmail.com Thanks

Gene,
Have not received it yet, try Jeff.Navarro@Transdev.com

Thank you very much
Pop's36

Jeff,
Send me an email message and I will send article as a reply.
chevgene@msn.com

same to wannachev

Also wildernestrk
Can not send so send me an email so I can reply to it.

bump

Hi Gene,

I received the info and will do my best to stop the leak's or rebuild if needed.

Thank you,
Pop's36

Perhaps you could forward my emalis to the other two guys that requsted a copy.
I ave had no luck sending to them - I get the undeliveralbe message.

I have a 1938 Master Deluxe. Would someone please email me the article for the knee action. dhoya@att.net Thank you.

I would need your email address to do that.

My email address is dhoya@att.net
Gene I have another question. What type of fluid can I use in the knee action. Is there a fluid that I can purchase from a auto parts store or is fluid a special order. If knee action is dry how many ounces does it take to fill.
Thank you

You can use hydraulic jack oil or automatic transmission fluid. Eaxh unit holds about 2 quarts.
I have ALWAYS USED ATF AS IN IS CHEAPER THAN JACK OIL.

Hello Gene When you have a little time please email me the article with pictures regarding knee action suspension. My email address is dhoya@att.net
Thank you

1010... I sent you 5 pages of the article... hope it helps...