Has anyone messed with a 53 Buick and upgraded the lever shocks or know anything about the lever shocks to make them like new. Found rebuilt ones but damn might as well give my kids and house for them.
Some keep them as axles , but empty and with a bit of grease, and use regular shocks. Cheaper way I think .. If you plan to rebuild them, I don t think there s better explanations anywhere than on Jyrki s site
Yeah I may just figure out a way to add gas shock just gotta fab a bracket. I've seen these customized on the web and a lot throw a different frame under but I don't want all that its just a driver to have some fun in.
Yup...a little expensive to have 'em rebuilt or a bit of a job to do it yourself. Mainly just need seals, but you still gotta take 'em apart. Rear ones come off easily, but the front ones are also the pivot for the upper A-arm, and not easily removed or replaced. So install tube-type shocks, eliminate the rear levers and fill the fronts with grease 'cause they need to be lubricated but they won't leak.
I did exactly what nali and Rickybop mentioned on my 48 and installed grease nipples instead of the fill plug in the shocks and fill them with grease. Heres some pics of the new shock mounts.
Thanks for the pics. Now I see how it's done. You have any pics on the front end how the mounts are ?
You may find this link interesting: http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/1937-1957_Buick_Oldsmobile_Pontiac_suspension_upgrade
They usually don't wear out but need to be refilled with oil. You can't get the knee action fluid anymore, except from some specialist antique parts places. But ordinary jack oil is just as good, you can get that anywhere. Have also heard of using motorcycle fork oil which allows tuning by using different grades of oil. Try filling with oil. Drive around a few days and check them again. You may have to fill them 2 or 3 times to work all the air out. Leave some air space in the reservoir. The big problem is when they are worn the oil leaks out the shaft seals.
The Jalopy Journal
