Question about which shock fluid to use

[a01butal]

I have just built up 4 gold shocks with black plastic tops and the instruction sheet looks like they use regular old shock oil but I want to know if I can use the silicone oil as I don't have very much regular 30wt and silicone fluid is readily available at my lhs. The shocks have the same interior design as the gray shocks but are gold . Help!

[Eau Rouge]

Honestly, for a shelfer, I'd stay away from silicone racing shock oils. For screwing around in the street, or if you aren't too serious about racing, the best oil to use is Mobil1 synthetic motor oil. Even if you are serious about racing, Mobil1 is a great little trick for cold climates and those little orange rubber o-rings.

The silicone oils attack rubber o-rings and seals, and make them swell and get really spongy. Things tend to get wonky in an old shock that sits with silicones in it for a while. A quart of Mobil-1 10w-30 is $5 and will last you a lifetime of filling shocks.


For my vintage stuff, that's all I use in my shocks.




doug

[a01butal]

Thanks Eau Rouge,
Just the info I was looking for now a short trip to Pepboys will solve my problem. I thought there was an alternative but I wasn't sure and this is the best place to ask.
Al

[scr8p]

shodog uses fruit punch in his shocks.

[aconsola]

how about mobil1 0w40? it averages out the same as 10w30

[martinthegenius]

Im no scientist- but i have been using silicon oil in both my rc10s and not a single problem. I had a leak for a while in one, but i noticed that one of my seals had broken so the oil wasnt the prolem. I took it apart and there didnt seem to be any wear on the inside.

[adam lancia]

If you lube up the o-rings really well with Green Slime or an o-ring sealing lube then the silicone shouldn't break that down and get to the seals.