Re: 29 Packard rebuildable front shock needed

Posted by Tim Cole On 2012/6/12 17:09:58

Dear 29tons:

The arm only moves something over 45 degrees from center each way. The rather simple (and ineffective design) has a metal block pushing oil back and forth. As for rebuilding the unit it must be taken apart which is difficult given it is welded together so I'm not sure why they would say your case is not rebuildable given it has to be cut open, the bore remachined and oversized new parts installed.

I don't know how many shocks you have on hand, but perhaps asking Apple the correct method of disassembly from which you can cut the thing apart at your place and see what's going on. My guess is that the thing is full of dirt or the internal metal parts are broken.

In the old days, hacks used to try putting boiling STP, gear oil, and all sorts of stuff into those shocks to make them do something. What they didn't understand was that the unit only acts to dampen heavy spring oscillation and so can only be evaluated by removal and road testing. Believe me it is noticable when they are missing, but the ride is like a conventional solid axle truck with worn out shocks.

Hope this helps.