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...Does any one have any experience with the Kanter gas shocks on a '51-'54? I installed them, and much to my dismay, discovered during a brake job that the towers are too short to allow the wheel to drop fully for removal. Does any one have experience with this? I've contacted Stu @ Kanter, who has been regrettably inattentive.

This may be a silly question, but you did remove the fender skirt right? My rear shocks are from sandy chirco and travel far enough. No experience from the ones from K.

I believe Stuart is enroute to the Hershey AACA show. There are other folks in the Packard Dept. there, I suggest you try one of them.

Also, you can get gas-filled shocks from NAPA or other auto parts stores - stock item though I forget the applications. Just measure the maximum extended length and minimum compressed lengths of the old units, along with the type of upper and lower mounting. Any counter man worth his salt should be able to get you the current match. I'm sure Kanter's appreciates the business but it's a case where you can probably save some $ and buy local.

Yes, I removed the skirt properly and have the car on jack stands.

Unfortunately, I've already bought and installed them from Kanter. Unfortunately, I've made several calls to Stu and unfortunately, he doesn't follow thru. I've learned much thru this experience, but the one thing I'm still looking for is anyone's experience with the gas shocks from Kanter, I'd like to know if they sent me the wrong shocks or they all do this. either way, they need to be swapped out, nit being able to change a tire is a no go.

Wny not call Kanter and ask for Dan Kanter? He's a Packard hobbyist, tours often with his Packards, is a very nice man and I know he'll try to get to the bottom of your problem.

See my PM.

Hey Guys and Gals

going to install new shocks in the spring. Are the gas shocks better than the hydraulic old time types?

Ken

I'd like to say YES, but all gas-charged shocks are not created equal. Nor are they necessarily equivalent to compression and rebound rates of the OE shocks. Worse yet, some vendors/suppliers will put anything in their catalog that "will fit".

I had excellent results, 25-30 years ago, when I upgraded several GM daily drivers (from model years 1975-1984) to gas-charged shocks - including a couple of sets from Sears and one from the old GM (Delco?) line. However, I had a lot of hassle getting replacement (due to a broken weld on a mounting eye) from Sears (suplier unknown), under their so-called lifetime warranty, but I'll never deal with them again.

Yet, more recently, I was very disappointed with the ride quality from a set of gas-charged GM Goodwrench shocks (relabelled Gabriel product) that I installed on one of my Chevies. I chalk that up as another example of the general decline in quality of goods (and services) in available Amerika.

P.S. - "gas shocks" are still hydraulic units; the gas charge simply helps prevent foaming of the hydraulic oil, which would otherwise (temporarily) compromise the damping effect.

I've had both on my '54 Pat, and the gas charged are clearly superior in terms of ride, handling, and rebound. When you're in there, change over the bushings, too. But note I'm having a serious problem with Kanter's fit as well as their unwillingness to focus on resolution. Stay away.

Nothing really of value to contribute except, that to do really valid comparison of regular to gas-filled, you'd have to have a set of both of equivalent quality (whatever that means) and both "new in the box", install them on the same car and do the same road test to evaluate. Perhaps that's what Bobby did, but I suspect it going to be a rare circumstance to find someone that's done a controlled comparison. Comparing new gas-filled to old standard shocks or versa visa certainly isn't a valid comparison.

When in doubt, perhaps it's best to go with the newer (i.e. gas-filled) technology though owners of T/L cars might remember Bob Allison's admonition against using anything but standard duty shocks on T/L cars.

Hey Bobby,

Please private message me your invoice number and the address that we shipped your parts to. I will pulled your paper and see what I can found out on our end. Also can I get measurements of the shock that we sent you? I need the extended and collapse length.

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto Products
1-800-526-1096
Ext 316
jfrom@kanter.com