Shock absorber application question

Jun 29, 2008 5 Replies
N

Hi all,



I'm hoping some of you volvo guys can help me out here. I actually own a 1955 Studebaker and I'm trying to find some decent (that is, preferably Bilstein or Koni) shocks for my car. I know that the front shocks of a 51-56 Stude interchange with the shocks from a Volvo 1800 (along with the front shocks for a 49-54 Chevy or 53-62 Corvette.) Problem is, I've never worked on a Volvo 1800 and that is the only application that I seem to be able to look up online. I ASSumed that the shocks that I needed were used on the front of the 1800 but the pictures on the Bilstein web site seem to indicate that I actually need ones for the *rear.* Could a 1800 owner please tell me which end has the shocks with the 3/8" stud/bayonet style mount? Better yet, could someone confirm a Bilstein part number that is known to fit?



Also, is there a Koni part number that works? I can't find one on the Koni web site.



thanks much,



nate


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N

OK, I think I answered my main question - Gabriel lists the same shocks for the Stude and 1800 *fronts.* So a shock for the front of an 1800 should fit my car.

I also found a number for a Koni shock for the front of an Amazon/

122. Dusting off the cobwebs in my brain, I seem to recall that the 1800 was based on the Amazon chassis. Unfortunately I can't seem to find a shock manufacturer that lists applications for *both* an 1800 and an Amazon, and Koni doesn't list dimensional info. on their web site. Can someone please tell me if I order the shocks for the Amazon will they fit my car?

thanks

nate

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N

Anyone? would really like some confidence before I order anything.

nate

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W

How about some Monroe shocks? You can go to

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and perform a lookup on a 1955 Studebaker. I came up with the following Monroe part numbers: 31094R Rear 1 $22.18 each

5751 Front 1 $39.21 each
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N

I have Monroes on the Ugly Truck and have to say that I am not impressed with them. Of course, that is a F*rd with a Twin-I-Beam front end, so the lack of anti-dive geometry accentuates the effects of insufficient damping. that said, I don't believe a Stude has any significant amount of anti-dive built in even though it is a proper SLA setup so I would likely be similarly disappointed. Plus I'm spoiled by the Konis on the 944; those ride like a proper car should.

Unfortunately Monroe doesn't list an Amazon or 122 (I've looked) otherwise I wouldn't have posted my original query.

Additionally, based on a conversation over on the SDC forums with someone who was trying to fit Bilsteins to his early 50's Stude, it seems that the listed Monroe application on their web site is incorrect and too short; the correct rear shock in the Monroe line would be a 5757 (I think? I'm going off memory here) He did confirm that the Bilstein application listed for a 1800 did fit well in the front however.

nate

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