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I am reassembling the suspension on my '37 120 Sedan and three out of the four shock absorbers are not absorbing. I have three options, 1) refill them and see if that cures the ills, 2) rebuild them, refill them and see if that cures the ills or 3) buy new ones to replace these three. I would like to try to just refill them first and have the oil information from the shop manual, but I would like to see if any of you have more information concerning the type of oil and also where I might obtain it. Also, the manual specifies a specific gun to use to refill these and any information concerning this mechanism would also be helpful. I know those part numbers for the oil and the gun from the shop manual are no longer available. If option 1 is not feasible, the I would also think option 2 would be out of the question. Thanks to all in the Forum and also for the help you have given me thus far.

I have no idea if 37 shocks are even remotely similar to Clipper front types used thru 50 but on the chance they are, there is a very good article written by another poster on how he rebuilt his 48 shocks. He touches on fluid types. The article is is the literature how-to section.

I have a 37 Six Convertible whose suspension and shock absorbers are like the ones on your 120.

The rear shocks are different than the tube type used on the Clipper models and later models through 1950. They are serviceable.

I removed the rear shocks from the car and serviced them on the bench. This is an easy job. One was almost frozen due to having no fluid. I filled them working the arms back and forth until the units would take no more. Part of this procedure of adding oil and working the arms was to drain the fluid and repeat. Some nasty looking fluid came out of them.

The fronts are a different matter and I serviced them on the car. They are similar to the Clipper and later models. I removed the fill plugs and jounced the front end up and down until the units would not take any more fluid.

Filling the shocks made a world of difference in the ride and handling. Luckily, my shocks did not leak and were serviceable.

I used hydraulic jack oil.

Hope this helps.

(o{}o)

R Howe, for including your '37 One Twenty Touring Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

I used motorcycle oil for shock absorbers (front fork) you can buy different densities. big problem was dismantled arms to set up a new seal