Shocks' tell-tale oil stain

[arcamedies]

Well moving right along in restoring my Argosy I ordered new factory shocks after seeing the tell tale oil stain on three of them.

What surprised me was they are single action shocks, pull them out, great resistance (skerlicking noise, another indicator) pushing in, little resistance. (one had been leaking for some time).

The most surprising of all is fully retracted they are different lengths a sure sign of being shot, and must have made for a wild dance for the axles going over bumps. Imagine the axle with the shortest one bottoming out.

At this point with new radials and shocks I know it'll handle better and not shear the rivets while driving down the road.

[r carl]

Your money on the new shocks was well spent!

[BIGED52]

Shocking simply shocking!

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by BIGED52

Shocking simply shocking!

Burma Shave sign jingle you have. -Good point for centramatics

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by arcamedies

Burma Shave sign jingle you have. -Good point for centramatics

Yep!

[sierrajb]

arcamedies, where did you buy the shocks, and how much? Are these Airstream-only shocks, or can I expect to find them at a local discount auto parts store (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc.)?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by sierrajb

arcamedies, where did you buy the shocks, and how much? Are these Airstream-only shocks, or can I expect to find them at a local discount auto parts store (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc.)?

All trailer shocks used by Airstream since 1968 are "horizontal".

They cannot be purchased anywhere except from an Airstream dealer, since they are a special shock.

Vertical shocks cannot be used as a replacement.

Andy

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by sierrajb

arcamedies, where did you buy the shocks, and how much? Are these Airstream-only shocks, or can I expect to find them at a local discount auto parts store (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc.)?

All shocks are not the same, airstreams are single action, meaning they have resistance in one direction only. The relief valves are machined to have the correct resistance for the axles. The length and tube diameter make a difference as well and the dealer price is cheap enough to just get the right ones for your rig.

You may get lucky and find something similar but beat the snot out of your Argosy. Andy's right just pick a dealer near you or online for the right fit and operation.

The best $120 you'll ever spend.

(Those on a limited budget can wrap bungie cords around the studs , factory on my airplane struts , 59 Tripacer)

[Mikethefixit]

You mean TRI-Pacers had bungies TOO? I remember the Cubs and Super Crusiers did, never thought about the Tri-Pacers.Hummmmm.Gitten old I guess I have forgotten alot of stuff.
As I remember them bungies worked great too,I found lots of JackRabbits in alot of landings. LOL.

[sierrajb]

Andy & Arca,
Now I completely understand, so I'll be contacting a nearby dealer soon. I'll probably replace all shocks when I repack the bearings before our fall trip in October. Many thanks for helping me understand all this.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

You mean TRI-Pacers had bungies TOO? I remember the Cubs and Super Crusiers did, never thought about the Tri-Pacers.Hummmmm.Gitten old I guess I have forgotten alot of stuff.
As I remember them bungies worked great too,I found lots of JackRabbits in alot of landings. LOL.

Yeah, I agree.

Tri-pacers were great, "for ground looping".

Not my cup of tea.

Andy

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Yeah, I agree.

Tri-pacers were great, "for ground looping".

Not my cup of tea.

Andy

Never heard of a Tri-Pacer doing a ground loop, (tricycle gear setup).

Brakes were poor though with the hand pull lever in the middle and drum brakes on a hot landing, eyaaaaaah . (Knew I shoulda changed to cleveland disc brakes and toe setup.)
I found out why Bill Piper put the ball on the end while manhandling it with all my might to stop when the wind shifted on me on a 1800 foot strip with tall trees on both ends.

OOPS Back to Airstreams
Forgot to mention I went to see a 31 that was in good shape except when I walked around to the left side and saw the shell bulging out at the ends of the wheel wells, shocks shot, axles sagging, very sad, owner didn't have a clue banging along merrily.