The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1948 GMC 1 ton front (& rear) shocks

Hello,

Are the original (picture below) shocks are serviceable or more to the point usable?

Some searched knowledge says they are neither, serviceable or worth the effort. True?

What after? Follow the path of OTHERS

My 48 has this old type shock in the front, but no shocks at the rear axle. Where shocks for the rear uncommon in those times? I only can find mounting point on the rear axle, but none on the frame.

Thanks for your help.

Big trucks often didn't have rear shocks. The springs do all the work.

If the one ton is the same as the 3/4 ton, they had lever action shocks. Look on your rear axle for some lower tabs that look like shock mounts that's where the connecting rod attached (just like a modern shock with eye-type lower mount bracket). The body of the lever assembly was bolted with two bolts to the frame forward of the front of the rear axle.

I replaced mine in favour of some gas shocks, just made a bracket for the upper shock that bolted into the original holes so I didn't have to drill holes in the frame. Used the lower tabs as intended and an upper eye mount. My originals actually seemed to still work, but they were missing the lower link bars but...

Clean them up check if they are in decent condition some of those shocks can be repaired,might just need a seal and refill .my mgb has lever shocks and there are places that rebuild them .There should be a lot of imfo on this site or videos on YouTube on how they can be reconditioned ,sometimes just a flush to clean and swell up the seals .

Mine? They work. I just went to gas shocks just because. I saved the old ones in case I want to go back, or if someone wanted em.