C1 Shock Absorber Rebuild

[Tom G.]

Anyone know who can rebuild shock absorbers?

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Shock Absorber Rebuild

T-------

I don't know of anyone who rebuilds monotube-type shocks. Even if one could find someone to do it, I really doubt that the performance of rebuilt shocks would be satifactory for a driven car.

Years ago, rebuilt monotube shocks used to be available from some auto parts stores for REAL low budget auto repairs. I assume that these were done in some country with VERY low labor costs, since you can't invest much in the "rebuild" before you're over the cost of a new shock. In any event, with these shocks, the tube was cut and welded in order to get into the shock. The weld was prominent.

I don't think that these shocks are even available anymore. I don't think that they could compete with low buck NEW shocks which are available on the market today.

[Dave Suesz]

OK, why isn't someone making...

repro C1 spiral shocks? Considering the inexpensive replacement shocks on the market, how hard could it be?

[Joe L.]

Re: OK, why isn't someone making...

Dave-----

I think that it'll be happening sometime in the foreseeable future. One of the Chevrolet passenger car reproduction outfits has them already for the big cars (stamp your own date). I expect that they'll arrive in the Corvette marketplace before too long.

I think that what it takes is for some company to place a large enough order with one of the big shock absorber manufacturers. With a "minimum order", they'll probably make up just about anything you want. But, the "minimum order" might be a staggering quantity, so no "mom-and-pop" outfit is going to be able to "stand the gaff".

[Dave Suesz]

I would guess...

such an item would not be feasable at less than 500 units, which would be enough for 250 cars. Hmmm... must be that many C1 owners who would go for FUNCTIONING spiral shocks.

[John H.]

Re: I would guess...

In the Camaro side of my hobby, D&R Classics now markets new GM-licensed reproduction spiral shocks for '67-'69 Camaros; I don't know how the jounce/rebound/stroke dimensions compare with C1 shock specs, but it doesn't seem like there would be that much difference in terms of a tooling change. They have all the original Delco stampings on them, except for the dates.