How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I'm used to pushing on the fender of a car to see if shock absorbers are good, but what about when they are in your hand? I have a repro pair and they are stiff both pulling out the shaft and pushing in. I have an NOS pair of 1964 Superides and they push in easily and are stiff pulling out. And I have a set of four gently used service replacement spirals that push in easily and are stiff pulling out. So, how should a good pair in your hands be?

Thanks,

Bob

[Don S.]

Re: How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

Spent 27 years working for the Monroe Auto Equipment Co., Monroe shocks. Next to impossible to tell a shocks condition by cycleing it by hand. You can not generate enough force or speed to determine condition. Only exception would be if it was complete junk and offered zero resistance. If there is no fluid leakage suggest you mount it on a car and perform the bounce test. Get the car rocking by pushing down on each corner and then releasing it, should cycle no more than one and a half times if it still has adequate control.

[Dan P.]

Re: How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

Most of the old Delco shocks push in easy and pull out hard . In the day the wanted a soft ride. The best way to tell if they are worn is to look at the middle of the shaft if there is ANY discoloration, scoring or pitting on the shaft they are worn out .

[Bruce B.]

Re: How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

Spent 27 years working for the Monroe Auto Equipment Co., Monroe shocks. Next to impossible to tell a shocks condition by cycleing it by hand. You can not generate enough force or speed to determine condition. Only exception would be if it was complete junk and offered zero resistance. If there is no fluid leakage suggest you mount it on a car and perform the bounce test. Get the car rocking by pushing down on each corner and then releasing it, should cycle no more than one and a half times if it still has adequate control.

Don,
I have a set of old (1969) chromed Delco front shocks for my 57 Gasser. They appeared to be good but once I drove the car one started leaking. Is there anything that can be done with the chrome shocks other then hanging them on the wall?
I now have a set of old Monroe shocks which are fine so far.
Bruce B

[Dan P.]

Re: How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

Don,
I have a set of old (1969) chromed Delco front shocks for my 57 Gasser. They appeared to be good but once I drove the car one started leaking. Is there anything that can be done with the chrome shocks other then hanging them on the wall?
I now have a set of old Monroe shocks which are fine so far.
Bruce B

Nothing the seals are old and hard . The shocks would have to cut apart and new seals put in and nobody makes the seals .

[Don S.]

Re: How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

Seals are wore out and upper bearing is probably shot. Don't know of anyway to repair them short of cutting them apart. As far as I know replacement seals are not available. You would also need to replace upper bearing and the piston rod all of which would be impossible to find. That would leave you with a good top end but worn pressure tube, piston and all valving. The valving probably has 3 stages in compression and 3 in rebound. Really more trouble and cost than it would be worth and you still would not have a "as new" functioning shock. The shock was probably chromed after it was manufactured and that process drastically shortened the service life.

[Bruce B.]

Re: How to tell if C1 Shock Absorbers are Good

Dan & Don,
Thats what I thought.
My blue Monroe shocks look fine.
Thanks,
Bruce B