Does anyone know of sources for rebuild kits on the old knee action or lever action shock absorbers?
I don't know anything about them other than they once came up on a web search I did, but Apple Hydraulics claims to rebuild them:
http://www.applehydraulics.com/
By the way, "knee action" was, as far as I know, an advertising phrase used only by Chevrolet. It originally described their unique Dubonnet version of independent front suspension used in the mid-1930s. It combined the suspension spring and damping (shock) functions in one unit. The system had enough issues that it gave rise to the phrase "weak kneed Chevy".
I'd stick with "lever action" as a better and more generic term for the style of shock absorbers used by Plymouth prior to the introduction of the "airplane style" (modern) shocks.
You might also try Five Points Classic Auto Shocks; 2911 A South Main; Santa Ana, CA 92707; 714-979-0451.
Tod is somewhat right about the term "Knee Action". Chevy and Pontiac used this type of front suspension from 1934/1938 on their DeLux models (Master Series) all of the standard series cars had a convential I-bean axel with "lever shocks". I had several 37/38 Chevy's during the early 50's as did most of my friends. If the knee action was in good shape they worked very well. One of the big features of the design was that the long trailing arms, to which the spindles were connected, kept the wheels on the road, therefore it was next to impossible to roll a car with knee action. If the knee action was worn out, it was bad, the wheels looked like they were knock-kneed and they bounched so bad it was like riding in a boat in rough water.
The term "lever action" is the correct term to use when describing shocks other than the GM units of the mid thirties....Bill
Just a thought on your "rebuilding" of the lever action shocks. Have you checked them for fluid level? Sounds crazy but this is an often overlooked "cure". If they are low, the don't seem to work as they should but a little "juice" and you have good shock. Experience - friend of mine had a Cadillac limo that when he got it rode like a lumber wagon. Old time mechanic filled up the shocks and the car rode like a million bucks. I also took a set of lever action shocks off a '33 Chev chassis and installed on my '32 Chev pickup. All they needed was some fluid and they worked like they should. I had the opportunity to drive another friends 31 Chev pickup thru a field and I commented how much harsher the ride was in his truck - he reminded me I had put shocks on mine!!! oh Yes, Apple Hydaulics is one of the main sources for rebuilding of these shocks....
And what sort of oil does one put in lever shocks? My PB has them and I have never filled them because i couldn't find out what modern oil they need
I have two cans of shock absorber fluid in my garage. One can is "DELCO" marked 1939, the can says it is for all hydraulic shock absorbers including knee action. The oil in this can is a very thin light weight oil.
The second can is "Houdaille" shock absorber oil. The oil in this can is very thick, maybe from age. The Houdaille shocks were used mainly on the Fords up through 41.
I have had the can of Houdaille oil for almost 50 years, using it to add to the shocks on my 36 Ford which still has the original rear lever shocks.
My daughter and her husband purchased an old auto repair shop in the little town in eastern Montana where they live. The shop had been closed since 1974 because of the owners health problems, upon his demise the widow decided to sell the property. Information found in the building would lead one to believe that the shop had been in business since sometime in the late 1920's. Information found in the building also suggested that the shop had been a Hudson dealer at one time. We found tons of old parts in the building, some dating back to the thirtys, a case of Delco shock fluid was one of the items we found.
I am working on a 40 Buick sedan, my mechanic has told me that we are going to retain the front lever shocks, (upper A arms intregal with the shocks) I am having a pair of the shocks rebuilt by a shop in California, they will use the heavy duty valving for a Buick Limited which will make them a little firmer.
The oil for the old hydraulic shocks should be availible from either Apple or maybe even Kantner. I do know that you....... CAN'T USE REGULAR HYDRAULIC JACK OIL, BRAKE FLUID, ATF, ETC, IN ANY OF THE OLD LEVER SHOCKS...Bill
(note, I did not list the name of the shop in California because I am having a brain fart, can't remember if it is Four Way or Five Points, it will come to me as soon as I hit the post button)
See...... I told you it would come to me, actually I cheated, I read mvair's posting in lieu of looking it up......
Five Points in Santa Ana is the company that is rebuilding the front shocks for my 40 Buick, they were very highly recommended to me by people in the Buick Club and my mechanic. Five Points rebuilds all styles of lever shocks and in some cases has replacement shocks if your cores are beyond repair....Bill
You could use motorcycle fork oil [as per Bob at Apple some years ago]; it comes in various viscosities so ride can be tailored.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I was going to put hydraulic jack oil in the schocks but I will look for the motorcycle fork oil. I'm aware of the places that will rebuild these shocks for me, would anyone know of a source for a kit so I can rebuild them myself? Seems they shouldn't be much harder than a brake cylinder.