Hi folks!

It's been a while, which is a good thing (for us). Our '51 88 is still starting and running like a champ since replacing the cracked ignition wire, so hubby is a happy camper. We're moving on to getting some other issues resolved, and the repair du jour is the front shocks. After asking our local Olds guru, he said they could be filled and if they leaked, use a soft grease at the bottom to soften the seal. Unfortunately, he didn't go into better detail, which is why I'm asking -

When he said shock absorber fluid, he said "Use Lovejoy's, or something like Lovejoy's" - in doing some research to get it (go ahead, laugh, I'll wait...), I found that Lovejoy's is no longer in existence. I also found out that there are several different viscosities of fluid out there that "could" be used for shock absorbers. Looking for recommendations, suggestions, or warnings of what to use, or not, in refilling these shocks.

Second question - what the heck is a "soft" grease? We're stumped. Again, suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

Many years ago my friend had a 40 olds that leaked fluid out of the knee action shocks regularly. Being cheap and broke he filled his shocks with automatic transmission fluid and had no problems other than having to replace the fluid regularly. Today we send them off and have them rebuilt, not cheap though.

I would assume soft grease would be like chassis grease or something like it but I have never heard it described as such.....Tedd

 

No need to attempt to resurrect worn parts. Kanter carries shocks for your 51:

https://www.kanter.com/ecatalog/00023.html

 

From here, we can't tell if she needs those rebuilt shocks or if the seals are just shot. If the innards aren't sloppy and seals still available, replacing them might just do.
As far as that "soft grease" is concerned, silicone grease might have been meant. That's what I use for sealing rubber to metal surfacing.
As far as fluid viscosity's concerned, telescopic fork oil for motorcycles is available in at least three basic viscosities. This might have less to do with climatic differences than with vehicle use, whether for off-road stiffness or for normal cruising or in-between. Generally, shock oil will hold its viscosity, regardless of outside temperature

 

Lots of good info - thanks!

 

has any one had any experience replacing these levers with a mod to install regular shocks?

 

i was wondering that too

 

These shocks are almost 70 years old . Nothing is going to stop them from leaking , except a full on re-build .
Lever shock rebuilding is a specialty . Requiring special tools and equipment . Not a DIY job .
Replacing them with something more modern would entail a lot of special fabrication which would be probably more expensive than simply having them re-built .

BTW , hydraulic jack oil will work fine in a shock if you just want to fill them periodically until you can get them re-built .

 

Converting over to air suspension would be the most practical solution

 

Lot of bullshit on this thread - if you really don't know or have direct experience on this topic and vintage of Oldsmobile then why lead the asking party astray?

 

Well, looks like your imput has just answered all questions. Case closed. This thread can now get capped

 

I noticed that Kanter only lists the front shocks for a 51. For rear shocks they skip 51-54. Does anyone know if the rear shocks of a 51 are similar to another year?

 

That's because '51 thru '54 Oldsmobiles used conventional telescoping shocks on the rear .
These telescoping shocks should be available from Kanter and others new .

 

I used a similar chart for cross-referencing replacements on what I'm now driving. Mine was easy, because all measurements are metric. The following might involve more meticulous measuring:

http://www.monroe.com/downloads/inst...ifications.pdf

 

Or , you could just order a pair from Fusick ;
http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts....number=50094GS