Original Armstrong shock rebuild

Richard Tool

Richard Tool

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Hi all - I am beginning to at least think about starting a rebuild of my 1956 Dommie 99 - a basket case ( in large lumps as they say) that I bought years
ago .
I have the original Armstrong shocks that I would ideally like to keep . Are they rebuildable, and if so does anyone know who might underetake this sort of work ?
Thanks in advance for any input .
Cheers - Richard
 
kernel65 said:
Bump.

Would like to know as well. Have a set that I would like to use but have no fluid in them anymore.

Scott
Click to expand...
Hi Scott - I am a member of UK based NOC as well - I will post my query there and I’ll let you know if I get an answer .
RT
 
Richard Tool said:
Hi all - I am beginning to at least think about starting a rebuild of my 1956 Dommie 99 - a basket case ( in large lumps as they say) that I bought years
ago .
I have the original Armstrong shocks that I would ideally like to keep . Are they rebuildable, and if so does anyone know who might underetake this sort of work ?
Thanks in advance for any input .
Cheers - Richard
Click to expand...
There Used to be a guy in the uk called Rustler Racing. who did this stuff. Some people drill a small hole near the base and tap irt to take a fork drain screw ,refill with a bit more than came out.
 
Thanks nb - I have found two here in USA - first one only does lever shocks - have a query sent to second that does telescoping units to see if they will take on my Armstrong units.
The tap/plug idea sounds like a good one . If I have no luck finding someone to do the work I may try to do it myself. If I screw It up I can keep the originals for show and buy new units for go.
 
Can anyone advise on disassembly of these Armstrong units ?
8385C4D5-9908-4E4A-9492-B59C779650EB.jpeg

B3B14A92-E0CF-4CCD-A968-D10FD5313F74.jpeg

Found this on Hitchcock’s site but still looking for advice - Thanks
Original Armstrong shock rebuild
 
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From memory I think when the shocks were drilled and refilled that they also used to add some of that jollop snake oil that people put in engine oil to stop oil leaks
Supposed to swell the oil seals up and stop leaks
Anyone know?
 
I think that you will find that the seals inside the shocks will be U/S 60 years after they were first built aling with the "eye" rubbers. I suggest that shock absorbers might be considered a "consumable" and your best approach night be to look to fit new damper units inside the original covers. Good suspension damping front and rear makes for an enjoyable ride. :)
 
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ES234 said:
I thick that you will find that the seals inside the shocks will be U/S 60 years after they were first built aling with the "eye" rubbers. I suggest that shock absorbers might be considered a "consumable" and your best approach night be to look to fit new damper units inside the original covers. Good suspension damping front and rear makes for an enjoyable ride. :)
Click to expand...
Agreed 100% and I hadn’t thought of making Girlings/ Hagons look like Armstrongs by using the Armstrong covers - a really excellent idea and worth exploring.
 

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