Is there any way to check these shocks . I put one in a vice pulled the arm down feels ok, when I let go it springs right back is that ok ?


The Honer

That is okay if it is a single acting shock instead of a double acting shock.

That would be normal for a single acting shack. If it is from a 1937 it will have single acting shocks.

Thanks that is what it is. Now I know what single acting means.

John

In a single acting shock there should be more resistance to the moving the arm in one direction. The arm will not move quickly in that direction due to the fluid flowing through the orifice in the shock.

My guess is that your shock is out of fluid because the seals have gone bad. That is what I experienced on my '37 Master Coupe. When I put hydraulic jack oil in them they work fine until the fluid leaks out.

The lever should pull down with a lot of resistance and spring back up freely and fast.
A double acting shock will pull down in the same manner but some resistance felt going back up.

I had to clamp down more than I wanted to or it would turn in the vice . I did check the fluid I could not get the plug out before it started coming out .