Hydraulic Lever Shocks

I have set of lever shocks that are still in good working condition. I was told they were off a BUICK. The only thing wrong is that there is a crack on one of the arms near the shaft. I thought about welding it but had this idea of making new arms for it because I would also like to make them about 1.5" longer.

So, does anyone know how to remove the arms from the shaft? Can't tell if they are pressed on or welded. Would I have to disassemble the shock?

 

They look pressed on in that picture.
I'm pretty sure that they were.

Norton

 

Any suggestions on how to remove the arms? I'm afraid to just try and pry or pull them off because the shaft has a little lateral play in it. Don't want to ruin any internals of the shock.

 

I would try a puller



Gary

 

Thanks Gary but I tried that already, it wouldn't hook properly.

Any other suggestions out there?

 

I'd give Apple Hydraulics a call or e-mail 'em as to the proper way to remove those arms.They are a bitch to remove!;you could try a tapered chisel like affair;one on each side of the arm and slowly work the arm off.I used two chisels under the arm; gradually and carefully used a hammer to break the arm loose.You don't want to use heat as it will cook the seals and then you're screwed.

 

i have a 48 buick and those look like mine . i bought one on e-bay and it had the wrong arm on it ( mine are curved and it had a streight arm . i heated the arm with a smoke wrench slowly and used a puller to get it off. to put on another one i just put it all in a 10 ton press after heating the new arm . slid right on . has been on my car for 3 years now...hope this helps..................

 

What's a smoke wrench?

 

Acetylene torch;AKA gas ax.

 

aka: flamin' hacksaw

 

you need special tools to pull those arms and not ruin the inner pin/ adjuster and spring.
fie points can do it for you, and they may have some arms around.

Check out www.classicautoshocks.com all they do is vintage shocks.....

 

Interesting; I was just over at a guys shop today who is narrowing a 9" housing for me. He does a lot of machine work for a local auto restoration Co. and showed me a set of hydraulic shocks he was working on for a Pierce Arrow. They were huge. He made a special tool to pull the shafts off. Said they were a job to get off. Looked like a very large socket with what I would call a machined mouth on one side that would go over the end of the arm and grab under it with the shaft centered in the socket. It had a threaded shaft attached to it. I didn't ask but I assume the shaft went into a puller like the one shown above. He has run into all kinds of interesting problems in rebuilding them such as finding the right size seals, and replacing the lead used for washers.

EDIT: Wow gotta pay attention to original post dates. This is old and you have probably figured out how to do it by now. Maybe it will help someone else.