Front Shock-How should a good one feel?

[HAN8L1965]

Read with interest a couple weeks ago about replenishing the oil in a shock and getting the air out etc. But my question is how does a good shock feel? Should you be able to move the arm up and down with a little pressure or should it be stiff. After replenishing the oil and getting the air out the arm moves freely with some firmness????

 

[jlaird]

It should be stiff, very stiff almost to the point of oh my God, also the arm should not move from side to side at all.

 

[HAN8L1965]

Thanks jlaird, sounds like I need a rebuild

 

[jlaird]

How is the other one??

 

[HAN8L1965]

feels the same but I haven't replaced the oil, both have had oil in them but dirty. the car has sat since 75, it's like everything else, our garages look very similiar

 

[jlaird]

Haha. Peter rebuilds shocks and is on here almost daily. I seem to have misplaces his web site address. He is our shock expert.

 

[jlaird]

https://www.nosimport.com/?

Here ya go.

 

[HAN8L1965]

Thank you, looks like Peter will be getting an order

 

[PeterC]

Mark and Jack. They should move evenly. The arm can and should be able to drop on its own weight. The faster you push the arm, the more resistance you should feel. There is a bleed groove in the valve that allows the arm to drop. Unfortunately there is no user-friendly measurement you can do, but I liken the effort to picking up a 50lb bag of salt with one hand. You don't need to change or repair things that aren't broken... save your sheckles for those that are!

 

[jlaird]

Thank you Peter. Mine are like pushing a wall, they give but slowly both directions. No way I think they would fall by themselves. Going to test that, not that I don't beleive you, I just want to see.