The question is does the shock dampen in both direction or only on the upstroke, I can push the piston down easier then pulling up. I have them disassembled now. Any thoughts.
Question for those who have rebuilt rear shocks
- Thread starter zman
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The shocks should dampen in both directions. However...if you have them disassembled, they will not operate the same as they do when assembled, and full of oil. With no, or little oil, there is nothing to resist the movement of the piston. Also, with the factory type, air assisted shocks, the air also helps force oil into the shock cartridge. 
OP
OP
Joel , Thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned I was working them submerged in transmission fluid had heavy resistance on the up pull but light on the down stroke I suppose they are junk. Do they need air to test properly?
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I don't know that they need air to function properly at all. The air is just additional support when adding weight. The air does tend to force the oil into the actual shock, tho. They should technically be firmer/harder on the downstroke tho....being weak in that direction kinda defeats the whole purpose of them. It's possible the valving inside is gummed up, or otherwise faulty. Then again, they may not work right unless quickly moved in/out, as they would be on the vehicle. I can't remember how mine were on The Turd when I redid them either time. Guess I wasn't really even checking the actual up/down damping function.....doh!!
OP
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OK Thanks that is helpful.
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There is damping in both directions but there is more damping on rebound, less on compression. How many miles on the shocks? I suspect that with the proper amount of new fluid in them they'l be fine. Stay safe and enjoy the ride.
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OP
They have 14K on them. I already bought the seals so I am going to give it a go. Thanks.
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You should be fine. I just did the ones on my '83 with 45K on them. New seals, new boots, fresh fluid. They work fine.
OP
OP
Thanks I appreciate that.
OP
OP
Just an update it is back together and the shocks work great rides way better with 10W shock oil and no losing air.
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Great to hear. Enjoy the ride and stay safe.
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I changed the fluid and replaced the seals using ATF. They seem to be working fine.
Does anyone know the "weight" of ATF ?
Maybe I should have used 10W fork oil instead ?
Does anyone know the "weight" of ATF ?
Maybe I should have used 10W fork oil instead ?
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From what I've read ATF is the same as 10W but the viscosity is more stable with temp changes than 10W shock oil. I put ATF in mine but they seem kind of under dampened. I may try 15W.
Denver
Well-known member
Progressive Suspension sold me a set of nitrogen filled dampers.
Along with a set of their springs, provided great results
That was ten years ago, so they may not be available
Along with a set of their springs, provided great results
That was ten years ago, so they may not be available
OP
OP
I did some research and found it varies between 7-10WT but I absolutely wanted to be sure I was using 10 so I went with fork oil (synthetic)
