shock absorbers

[roger crabtree <rcrabshish@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

OK,
This is all great information, but has anybody come up
with new shock part numbers for the Chrysler number in
the parts list?  I still need numbers for the front
shocks on my 55 sedan.  Does Anybody Know these
Numbers?????
RC Billings, Montanaaaaaa


--- W Bell <cbody67tx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Since
1975, the "world" of shock absorbers has
> changed.  Typically, the original Chrysler shocks
> were made by Monroe (hence the "MAECO" stamping, for
> Monroe Auto Equipment COmpany instead of the prior
> "Monroe" stamping).  Due to the configuration of the
> tube that the front shocks have to operate through,
> many later Chrysler supplied replacement shocks have
> a bulge on the bottom, but the rear shocks of the HD
> variety usually had larger piston diameters.
>  
> Now, when you read a shock catalog, they don't
> mention piston diameters (and the related "control"
> comment) any more.  Now it's "New Car Ride" that's
> talked about.
>  
> In the "old days" of when those earlier shocks were
> around, the front pistons were all 1" diameter, but
> the valving made them standard or "High Control"
> (HD).  The production standard rear shocks were
> similarly 1" diameter pistons with the HD and Police
> shocks using the larger 1 3/8" pistons and "High
> Control" valving.  In the earlier 1970s, the
> production "standard" shocks were basically
> equivalent to the Monro-Matics and the HD shocks
> were equivalent to the Super 500s, both Monroes.  In
> the late 1960s, Monroe introduced a less expensive
> shock to compete with the other aftermarket shocks
> from chain stores that was called "Gripper".
>  
> Currently, the old Monroe names typically have gone
> away, except probably for the base Monro-Matic. 
> SensaTrac is what I'd call a "band aid fix" for a
> smooth boulevard ride with control in rougher
> situations, which the valving ought to do anyway,
> without the bleed-off grooves in the piston's
> cylinder in the "comfort range".  Then there's their
> velocity valving situation shocks (Gabriel has a
> version too).  Sounds good in theory, but they don't
> seem to work in practice, as it all depends on where
> their comfort calibration ends and the control
> calibration kicks in.  
>  
> After the Super 500s were discontinued, their
> apparent replacement was the Monroe Radial Matics. 
> Tuned for radial tires, they claimed.  I put some on
> the front of my '67 Chrysler with the old
> rayon-belted BFG Advantage T/As and they didn't ride
> as good as the old Chrysler HD shocks.  I since
> found some NOS Chrysler performance shocks at Mopar
> Nats several years ago, checkered flag logos and
> all.
>  
> I haven't used any of the KYBs, but I've heard other
> Chrysler owners talk about how they made their full
> size Chryslers handle and ride much better.  Shop
> around for the best price.  I've used TireRack for
> the Konis I have bought and they might have KYBs
> too, but there are other online auto parts vendors
> that have them too.  I doubt you'll find any place
> locally that has them in stock, though, due to the
> age of the vehicle.
>  
> >From my experience in the '60s and '70s, adding a
> set of quality heavy duty shocks to a Chrysler will
> enhance ride and handling.
>  
> When I bought shocks for my '80 Chrysler, I got the
> fronts from the Mopar replacement parts bins, via a
> local dealershiop.  As the car already had Monroe
> air shocks on the back, I got those from a Monroe
> vendor.  That OEM Chrysler spec valving is pretty
> neat, especially when  you run through dips or a
> little change of elevation a little too fast and
> discover that neither did it bottom out, but it
> doesn't float on the rebound either.
>  
> I might lean more toward a Mopar replacement shock,
> even if it is a repackaged Monroe, but it could also
> have a Chrysler-spec valving calibration that might
> be a little better than what Monroe uses too.  Other
> than that, a moderate pressure gas shock (i.e., KYB)
> might be a good choice.  I don't believe that KONIs
> are still available for those cars, though.
>  
> Just some thoughts,
> W Bell
>  

=====
RC Billings, Montanaaaaaa 

http://www.imperialclub.com/temp/1955/RogerCrabtree/ 


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