Houdaille Shock fluid
- Thread starter verdirick
- Start date
SSsssteamer
Well-known member
A word of caution. Don't mix your fluid types. On a new clean shock, using the same type of fluid, you are all right with the one type. If your shocks are low on fluid, add only the same type of fluid again. Mixing fluids can create a gummed up mess. Been there, done that.
Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
You really need to look at the Service Bulletins to understand the correct oil for your shocks.
You need to keep in mind the shock should be very very stiff. That is it should take like 15 seconds to travel a certain distance (look up the correct time as I pulling this out of the air) with a 6lb weight at the end of a metal bar.
What I found is the very slightly worn shocks I have were very fast and no comparison to the Ford spec. What this means is you need to experiment with thicker oils to get the shocks functioning like factory.
This applies for very tight shocks. Any shock beyond say (I am making this up) .002" of wear they might be getting too loose and never get close to factory specs.
I have based the above information over some quick experiments I did when I was tearing down shocks to figure out if I have 4 of the same that might work. I stopped because it was clear I needed to gather more information. What I was told should work by others clearly was not correct information based on the limited experiments I did.
My next step will be to make the correct KRW like test weight and buy some heavier oils then what people commonly recommend as good for shocks. Keep in mind the oil people recommed is likely to be good for NOS perfect shocks, but I have reason to believe we need to think about this some more.
You need to keep in mind the shock should be very very stiff. That is it should take like 15 seconds to travel a certain distance (look up the correct time as I pulling this out of the air) with a 6lb weight at the end of a metal bar.
What I found is the very slightly worn shocks I have were very fast and no comparison to the Ford spec. What this means is you need to experiment with thicker oils to get the shocks functioning like factory.
This applies for very tight shocks. Any shock beyond say (I am making this up) .002" of wear they might be getting too loose and never get close to factory specs.
I have based the above information over some quick experiments I did when I was tearing down shocks to figure out if I have 4 of the same that might work. I stopped because it was clear I needed to gather more information. What I was told should work by others clearly was not correct information based on the limited experiments I did.
My next step will be to make the correct KRW like test weight and buy some heavier oils then what people commonly recommend as good for shocks. Keep in mind the oil people recommed is likely to be good for NOS perfect shocks, but I have reason to believe we need to think about this some more.
Don Turley
Well-known member
Houdaille Shock Absorber Fluid can
Here is a photo of a can of original Houdaille Shock Absorber Fluid. It is still about half full. Made by R.M. Hollingshead Corp. The instructions on the back of the can warn that there are two types of fluid, each made from a different formula and not interchangeable.
Don Turley
Here is a photo of a can of original Houdaille Shock Absorber Fluid. It is still about half full. Made by R.M. Hollingshead Corp. The instructions on the back of the can warn that there are two types of fluid, each made from a different formula and not interchangeable.
Don Turley
