N.O.S. Shocks, what do You think of em ?

[63t-cab]

Is it safe to say most here would shy away from them,not just Studebaker 50s/60s but some thing from the 70s/80s ? I have some Sears shocks I was gonna advertise,and don't know if they're thought of as junk by now ?

[PackardV8]

CASOs will buy anything if the price is right. Just describe them accurately with photos. Do they still have firm compression and rebound?

jack vines

[TWChamp]

Unless the shafts have rust I'd think the shelf life would be decades long.

[doug]

I had a pair of gas filled shocks that were about 30yrs old and they would not extend by themselves, no gas?

[unclemiltie]

I have personally used NOS shocks and have been very pleased with them

[53k]

Is it safe to say most here would shy away from them,not just Studebaker 50s/60s but some thing from the 70s/80s ? I have some Sears shocks I was gonna advertise,and don't know if they're thought of as junk by now ?

In my stash I have a set of NOS Gabriel heavy duty shocks (standard Avanti and Stude heavy duty option). They are still as stiff as ever. I plan to use them. I also have a set of Konis that came off a wrecked Avanti with 23,000 miles and I don't see any reason why they couldn't be used.

[TWChamp]

I had a pair of gas filled shocks that were about 30yrs old and they would not extend by themselves, no gas?

The gas pressure is used to keep the shock oil from foaming during hard use. As long as the shocks have the oil and offer good resistance I'd use them.

[t walgamuth]

In my stash I have a set of NOS Gabriel heavy duty shocks (standard Avanti and Stude heavy duty option). They are still as stiff as ever. I plan to use them. I also have a set of Konis that came off a wrecked Avanti with 23,000 miles and I don't see any reason why they couldn't be used.

You can probably get the Konis rebuilt free by Koni....if they need it. They are very high quality units but don't last forever.

[t walgamuth]

The gas pressure is used to keep the shock oil from foaming during hard use. As long as the shocks have the oil and offer good resistance I'd use them.

Just because they offer good resistance, especially in a gas filled shock, does not necessarily mean they are good. They get worn where they ride on the shaft and may have poor ride quality even though passing the test of bouncing the car. I would imagine testing them off the car would be even harder to determine their actual usability. I think there are testing machines for it though.

[jackb]

absolute failure can be tested by hand, on the bench..... essentially uninstalled. Other than that, you must install them and road test mixed terrain...

[DEEPNHOCK]

Shelf life for nitrile rubber is around 5 years.
Rubber seals will deteriorate with time.

[studeclunker]

well, the NOS shocks I got from S.I. for my Champ work beautifully and really improved the steering and stability. I was thinking of getting the same for my wagon.