The Ford Barn

kurt v · 02-06-2023, 03:00 PM

How to go about putting oil in houdaille shocks on the car, what position should the arm be in ?
thanks kurt

Lawson Cox · 02-06-2023, 03:08 PM

"At rest" is best way to describe it I guess.

Kube · 02-06-2023, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt v

How to go about putting oil in houdaille shocks on the car, what position should the arm be in ?
thanks kurt

Kurt, I have found it helps to disconnect the arm and while filling the shock (drop by drop) move the arm up and down.

richard crow · 02-06-2023, 04:41 PM

if there origl. shocks not rebuilt there is three typs of fluid to fill them with the filler plug shape tells you witch fluid to use.

Karl Wolf · 02-06-2023, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard crow

if there origl. shocks not rebuilt there is three typs of fluid to fill them with the filler plug shape tells you witch fluid to use.

I would be very interested in this "shape of plug determines the fluid type"
in more depth.

I thank ahead of time,
Karl

Kube · 02-06-2023, 08:21 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

I would be very interested in this "shape of plug determines the fluid type"
in more depth.

I thank ahead of time,
Karl

Karl, There is truth to this

If I could sketch worth a darn, I would. I can't so I won't.
Some shocks used a glycerin-based fluid while others used a mineral oil base. Still others used a castor-based fluid.

Anyway, realistically, a guy is fine using hydraulic jack oil.

ford38v8 · 02-06-2023, 08:46 PM

This page is from the 38-39 Ford book.
Combining mystery shock fluids can make cottage cheese.
Confirm your fluid, don't believe what the filler plug tells you.

34fordy · 02-06-2023, 08:46 PM

Is the shock "full" when no more drops will be accepted?

ford38v8 · 02-06-2023, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 34fordy

Is the shock "full" when no more drops will be accepted?

Shocks, when mounted correctly, have a fill plug on the side like a transmission or a differential. It cannot be overfilled if the car is sitting on all four wheels.

V8COOPMAN · 02-06-2023, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Shocks, when mounted correctly, have a fill plug on the side like a transmission or a differential. It cannot be overfilled if the car is sitting on all four wheels......

....... and NOT on a San Francisco-like hill!

Coop

fordor41 · 02-06-2023, 10:47 PM

I always removed the shock, clamped it in a vise in the same angle as it was on the car to refill. I backed the adjuster off and added fluid then cycled the shock arm to expel any trapped air. then reset the adjustment to original position.

ford38v8 · 02-07-2023, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordor41

I always removed the shock, clamped it in a vise in the same angle as it was on the car to refill. I backed the adjuster off and added fluid then cycled the shock arm to expel any trapped air. then reset the adjustment to original position.

Clamping left and right shocks together in a large vise is a bit awkward, but is the best way to make adjustments to the pair. Push and pull both simultaneously to synchronize actions.

rotorwrench · 02-08-2023, 07:22 PM

The Hoo-Dies have a reservoir section and a hydraulic fluid transfer wing & stator section. If a shock has been regularly maintained, a person will know what's in it. Most folks use more viscous fluid in the older units now days due to wear between the stator and wing shaft that increases clearance over time.

If the unit still rotates then the fluid likely hasn't started to turn to goo quite yet, A person can remove and flush them with denatured alcohol to get whatever is in there out. Once they come clean they can be refilled with what ever works for hydraulic oil. Glycerin was used due to it's good all weather characteristics. Mineral oil tends to get thicker when it gets cold and thinner in hot weather where glycerin would hold it's viscosity pretty well in all temperatures. Glycerin does go bad after a period of time and starts turning into a dark messy goo substance and this is why a lot of folks use SAE 90 GL-1 gear oil or various hydraulic oils. I would consider using AeroShell 100 straight mineral motor oil since it is very well refined and is the same viscosity as SAE 90 gear oil. A hydraulic oil of similar viscosity could also be used. Viscosity depends on condition of the unit. The Ford Service Bulletins have a lot of info on caring for the rotary fluid dampers.

02-06-2023, 03:00 PM	#1
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 353	putting oil in houdaille shock How to go about putting oil in houdaille shocks on the car, what position should the arm be in ? thanks kurt

02-06-2023, 03:08 PM	#2
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: putting oil in houdaille shock "At rest" is best way to describe it I guess. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

02-06-2023, 04:41 PM	#4
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,770	Re: putting oil in houdaille shock if there origl. shocks not rebuilt there is three typs of fluid to fill them with the filler plug shape tells you witch fluid to use.

02-06-2023, 08:46 PM	#8
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 822	Re: putting oil in houdaille shock Is the shock "full" when no more drops will be accepted?

02-06-2023, 10:47 PM	#11
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,517	Re: putting oil in houdaille shock I always removed the shock, clamped it in a vise in the same angle as it was on the car to refill. I backed the adjuster off and added fluid then cycled the shock arm to expel any trapped air. then reset the adjustment to original position.

02-08-2023, 07:22 PM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: putting oil in houdaille shock The Hoo-Dies have a reservoir section and a hydraulic fluid transfer wing & stator section. If a shock has been regularly maintained, a person will know what's in it. Most folks use more viscous fluid in the older units now days due to wear between the stator and wing shaft that increases clearance over time. If the unit still rotates then the fluid likely hasn't started to turn to goo quite yet, A person can remove and flush them with denatured alcohol to get whatever is in there out. Once they come clean they can be refilled with what ever works for hydraulic oil. Glycerin was used due to it's good all weather characteristics. Mineral oil tends to get thicker when it gets cold and thinner in hot weather where glycerin would hold it's viscosity pretty well in all temperatures. Glycerin does go bad after a period of time and starts turning into a dark messy goo substance and this is why a lot of folks use SAE 90 GL-1 gear oil or various hydraulic oils. I would consider using AeroShell 100 straight mineral motor oil since it is very well refined and is the same viscosity as SAE 90 gear oil. A hydraulic oil of similar viscosity could also be used. Viscosity depends on condition of the unit. The Ford Service Bulletins have a lot of info on caring for the rotary fluid dampers.