Hot Rods Armstrong Lever Shocks Dissasembly

Been doing a lot of reading as Im prone to do and there is plenty of info about some simple servicing but am yet to find information on pulling apart some rear MGB armstrong shocks. In particular getting the arm off it to see if it can be clocked 90 degrees.

 

Get in touch with Moss Motors in Goleta California, they are bound to have some information on those shocks that might be helpful to you!

 

It's a press fit. You will need to make some tools to do the job.

 

This post should help. Also Google Lever Shock Rebuild there are some Youtube videos there.

https://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/threads/oil-filled-lever-arm-shocks.178802/post-1609338

 

Hope you figure this out. Post pictures of the process when you do it please. I’ve got a set for another project that might need some attention

 

https://www.applehydraulicsonline.com/

These guys would know.

 

Houdaille Shock

Hello,

You did not state where those other lever shocks are going to be installed. Before that set up gets started, you might want to take a step back and see if the lever shock is the best for your application. Our friend with his 34 Ford 5 window with a big Oldsmobile motor had old lever shocks, but they were replaced with tube shocks and made a big difference in driving/handling.

First photo from the old internet. The 2nd/3rd were his coupe racing at Lion's Dragstrip.


When we got our later year 327 powered 40 Ford Sedan Delivery project car, it had Houlidalle lever shocks. In the whole system rebuild, our front end guy did the changeover and did the whole front end. Out with the crappy old stuff and in came the new replacement parts including tube shocks. After the whole front end was installed and balanced, alignment was finished, the sedan delivery drove like it was made to drive. The road bumps were nothing and the handling was so much better.

Jnaki

Even though the old Obsolete Ford Company parts store that was a couple of blocks from our Westside of Long Beach house told me that the new, in stock Houdaille Shocks would be better than the old ones on our sedan delivery. But, that tube shocks makes a whole world of difference in handling and suspension going down the street. YRMV

 

Thanks Jnaki, I understand tubes shocks perform better, just never liked the look on the front.

 

Spent a bit of time tonight coming up with plan B as want a shock that will lay horizontal on the frame and have the lever in the right position. Heres what I came up with, there are actually a few options. Will try and hunt up a pair of these.

 

Sounds a good idea Pete.

 

A rare moment for me....

 

The shaft is staked. Knock this inwards with a chisel and use a puller [use mild heat on the lever]
Replace the seal while in there, and use transmission fluid.

Lever action shocks don't have an air cavity so they can run upside down .