shock oil?

[323IJOE]

hey guys, when replacing our shock what kind of oil do you put in the the tube? anything special or can i just use hydraulic oil like someone suggested, thanks

[TobyB]

If it's a Bilstein, you don't need any- they're upside- down anyway.

I've always used motor oil on Konis- they used to specify something,

but I didn't see any indication on the latest that I got.

It's just to help heat transfer- if you don't track it or drive in salty areas,

it's not a big deal.

t

[323IJOE]

Lol well I have bilstiens so that's cool, but it there any other precautions I should take for rust prevention in there ?

[OriginalOwner]

I just add some motor oil, I'm not particular ..... the shock tube doesn't seem to be either, it has never commented one way or the other.

Cheers,

Carl

[c.d.iesel]

DO NOT FILL THE STRUT TUBE before inserting the shock

cartridge ! you risk not fully seating the insert.

Just slather oil in the tube and shock insert - a film is all

thats needed, do not "fill" .

[TobyB]

CD's right on for Bils- they just like to be oily. The inside of the

strut tube should be oily too- it'll rust if you clean it then don't re- oil it.

you risk not fully seating the insert.

Huh? I love you CD, but sometimes... Anyway, the extra oil squishes out the top and just makes a big mess. So:

For a standard, non- inverted strut like Monroe, KYB, Koni, etc

you do well to add 'some' oil. How much? Koni gave a volume on ONE

set I bought, but I've never seen it since. It aids cooling.

Here's how I do it- Pour a bit in. Not too much. Install cartridge, snug it down.

Remove cartridge, look at how high the oil went up the side. Add a bit more,

repeating until the oil's about 3/4 of the way up the tube. You COULD go

farther, but what I've found is that if you do, it starts to leak out the top,

and you freak, thinking you've blown a shock. I RTV'd the top

once, thinking I'd seal it in... and that actually worked. But it doesn't seem

to make that much difference.

hth

t