packick	I am Shocked!	#1
Quite a regular Joined: 2011/1/28 23:52 Last Login : 4/1 21:35 From Ferndale, WA Group: Registered Users Posts: 45	Yesterday I installed new shocks, front and rear, in my 1951 Patrician. What a difference in the ride. But here is my question. New shocks were installed in 2000, only 7,500 miles ago. Does father time wear out shocks? I thought it was the number of miles put on a car that wore out shocks, not how long they have been on the car. Thanks. Posted on: 2012/4/19 9:35

Owen_Dyneto	Re: I am Shocked!	#2
Forum Ambassador Joined: 2007/3/14 18:01 Last Login : 6/3 12:44 From New Jersey Group: Registered Users Forum Ambassadors Posts: 16640	Agreed, I wouldn't have expected the passage of that amount of time to have a significant effect on the performance of airplane-type shocks. It might be expected on the knee-action type where you could loose fluid due to a tired seal. Posted on: 2012/4/19 9:50

HH56	Re: I am Shocked!	#3
Forum Ambassador Joined: 2007/4/20 19:54 Last Login : Yesterday 13:54 From Fresno CA Group: Registered Users Forum Ambassadors Posts: 18518	Another question might be if the bad shocks were correct and had the right amount of travel. I can see where one having too short a travel might be damaged quickly if it was repeatedly forced to the extreme. Posted on: 2012/4/19 9:58
	Howard

Rusty O\'Toole	Re: I am Shocked!	#4
Home away from home Joined: 2008/6/8 20:11 Last Login : 2020/12/25 4:16 Group: Registered Users Posts: 1448	Could be the rubber bushings at the ends of the shocks were hardened or cracked. But this should not be a big factor. American OEM shocks typically last 20,000 to 25,000 miles. They may still be functional and not leaking but the creamy ride is gone by then. Maybe you got some cheap shocks. Posted on: 2012/4/19 10:14

packick	Re: I am Shocked!	#5
Quite a regular Joined: 2011/1/28 23:52 Last Login : 4/1 21:35 From Ferndale, WA Group: Registered Users Posts: 45	I think the shocks that I replaced were quality shocks. They were installed by a Packard mechanic friend of mine and I know he doesn't skimp on quality. Maybe it was just a case of a bad batch of shocks? I guess another question is this. Do gas-filled shocks deteriorate faster than others? Posted on: 2012/4/19 18:15

David Grubbs	Re: I am Shocked!	#6
Home away from home Joined: 2009/7/15 11:56 Last Login : 2023/9/15 15:16 From Billings, MT, Yellowstone Group: Registered Users Posts: 1512	Packick - what brand and model # did you buy? My 1951 probably could use some new ones; mine are about 12 years old and came from Pep Boys. Posted on: 2012/4/27 21:14

packick	Re: I am Shocked!	#7
Quite a regular Joined: 2011/1/28 23:52 Last Login : 4/1 21:35 From Ferndale, WA Group: Registered Users Posts: 45	David: I went out to the NAPA on-line site, typed in my make, model and year, and selected "shocks." The site lists only one option for front and one for rear for 1951 Packards. Those are what I got. Hope this helps. Posted on: 2012/4/28 18:49

David Grubbs	Re: I am Shocked!	#8
Home away from home Joined: 2009/7/15 11:56 Last Login : 2023/9/15 15:16 From Billings, MT, Yellowstone Group: Registered Users Posts: 1512	thanks - I'll check that out. Posted on: 2012/4/29 22:14