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What do you put in your Armstrong lever shocks?

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glemon

glemon

Yoda
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Just curious, I was working on the MG morning, I thought it rode very rough, checked the shocks, the front right was doing nothing--aha.

I filled with straight 30 weight oil, I think that is a little thicker than stock shock fluid. Anyway after filling and levering back and forth it seemed to work fine.

I have done this in other cars as well, and "fixed" shocks that didn't seem to be working well with even thicker mixtures too.

No noticeable ill effects and seems to hold up well over time.

Am I the only one that does this? or do others of you mix your own shock oil, or am I risking life and limb, or at least shock be doing this?
 
I use plain old clear mineral oil that you can buy at your corner drugstore.
 
"What do you put in your Armstrong lever shocks?"

Armstrong shock oil.

30-weight will work, but it's heavier than the shock was designed for. I would strongly recommend against putting anything heavier in there. The recommended oil is approximately 20-weight. If you want stiffer shocks, it's a better idea to put in heavy duty valves rather than heavier oil.

Mineral oil lacks anti-foaming agents necessary to prevent foaming within the shock's chambers. Once it starts to foam from the agitating action of the shock assembly, air pockets will form where they shouldn't be and the shock will no longer perform properly. Yes, it will still function, but not as well as it should.

Motorcycle shock oil is perfectly fine and is easy to find locally. Or, buy a bottle of the Armstrong oil as sold by most of the British parts suppliers for a bit more money. This is something you don't have to do very often anyway, and with a new or rebuilt shock it will be many years before you have to worry about it.
 
Haven't observed any problems with any of the shocks in which I've used mineral oil, Steve....

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Bentley</span> says, <span style="font-style: italic">"Use Armstrong Super (Thin) Shock Absorber Fluid No. 624. (If this fluid is not available, any good-quality mineral oil to specification S.A.E. 20W should be used, but this alternative is not suitable for low-temperature operation.)"</span>
 
I use motorcycle shock oil purchased at the local Harley Davidson dealership....but now my exhaust goes "Potato-potato-potato-potato-potato"
 
I use 20wt shock oil I got from a Kawasaki dealer. Seems to work great, and much cheaper than the Armstrong oil that is available. They also had a syringe that makes putting the oil in much easier than a funnel. :smile:
 
I also use one of those huge plastic syringes!
 
I have a deal. Anytime a shock is not working properly I send it to Peter C and it comes back like new.
 
tony barnhill said:
I also use one of those huge plastic syringes!
Click to expand...

I use a 60cc syringe (minus needle) that can be found at your local farm supply house. That, in combination with some plastic/vinyl tubing makes an easy job of filling either the front or rear shocks.
 
rick_ingram said:
I use motorcycle shock oil purchased at the local Harley Davidson dealership....but now my exhaust goes "Potato-potato-potato-potato-potato"
Click to expand...

Nice one! :smile: I've the used the Screaming Eagle oil from HD without troubles.
 
Ironically, after I filled my shocks and posted this topic I remembered that I had this:

shockol.jpg


They are still full and sealed and look to be the right stuff for lever shocks.
 
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