The 3000 Forum

I bought a replacement front rebuilt shock from Moss for my 3000 mark III. I have to top it up slightly after changing the valve. Moss sells a shock oil, but does anyone know what it is (double secret special Moss oil, regular motor oil of some weight)? Can I add another weight of motor oil if it is just a “top-up”?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Chris

Hi Chris,

Can't tell you what Moss is selling, however, I have used Hydraulic Jack fluid in my shocks for at least 30 years with good performance and no leaks..

Ray(64BJ8P1)

Ray, thanks. Is there a specific weight that you use? Chris

Chris,

Hydraulic jack oil is a product all its own and I don't remember it printed on the bottle or my looking for it.

While checking and adding fluid to your shocks, don't forget to make sure all mounting bolts are tight.

Ray(64BJ8P1)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-05-21 01:58 PM by RAC68.

Hi Chris, Everyone seems to be on the right track, hydraulic oil is the stuff to use, this is what I use,bought on ebay. Somewhere I was !SO 46 was for normal road use, and ISO 68 would give a much stiffer ride. Ah found it, Penrite, you'll see below!

Description
Hydraulic oil of medium (ISO 46) viscosity using premium quality solvent refined base oils, with four fold additive treatment.

Application
Ideal for use in hydraulic systems where anti-wear mineral oils are required.

User Benefits

Excellent anti-wear performance, allowing users to reduce machine downtime
Outstanding thermal and oxidation stability, improving reliability and cleanliness and ultimately increasing operating life of oil and machines
Corrosion protection and low foaming properties result in cleaner, high performing hydraulic systems


Penrite, a well known supplier of oils for classics in the uk sell both, known as No1 and No2

http://www.penrite-oil.co.uk/penrite-shocker-oil-no1-500ml

DESCRIPTION
Shocker Oil No.1 & No.2 are suspension oils specifically designed for lever arm and vane type shock absorbers fitted to cars covering the vintage and classic period. They contain anti-corrosion and Anti-Wear Additives for enhanced protection.

APPLICATION
Shocker Oil No.2 is suitable for Armstrong lever action type shock absorbers in either single or double acting where fast road and competition use is anticipated. This oil may also be used in Berg type shock absorbers with adjustable automatic valves and also Houdaille shock absorbers using the vane type system.

Shocker Oil No.2 can also be used as a motorcycle fork oil where a heavy SAE 20 oil was originally specified.

Hope this all helps, you and everyone,

Stan

If you find out what the 'double secret special Moss oil' is please let us all know. While you're at it, if your sleuthing produces the formula for 'SU Damper Oil,' let us know as well. I suspect it's just 20W in a fancy bottle, but I keep buying it anyway (usually just to get to a 'minimum order' total).

Tip: Don't fill the shock to the bottom of the filler hole, or higher. Leave about a quarter inch of head space below the bottom of the threads for heat expansion. I use the wood sticks Starbucks and others mistakenly think are for stirring drinks, they are actually perfect dip sticks for Armstrong shocks (and they've never said a thing about me grabbing a dozen or so--they're making plenty off the coffee).

Bob

Hi Bob,

I think your assumptions are about right, SAE 20 is the correct oil, though to be honest I've always used engine oil with no problem, which usually means Sae 30 0r 40.You guessed, I do a lot of poking around, leave no stone unturned, so for everyones consumption who don't know them, THE SU carb site, check out the technical pages, how to strip, rebuild, maintain and even tune and fault find. These pages are well worth printing off to keep with any other maintenance documents you have. Good tips BTW, thanks
http://sucarb.co.uk/

Regards,

Stan

Ok, all. Thanks for all the useful comments and suggestions. It's amazing what people know about all kinds of AH 3000 topics! So here is the "skinny":
For the shocks: The correct oil is hydraulic oil (not motor oil, as I was wondering about, as it foams as a detergent under movement and heat, and that is not what you need. If you use it, take it out if you are putting a lot stress on your shocks by hard driving.). The correct weight is ISO 30 (or 32 as shown on this container) which is equivalent within a point or two of SAE 10. Moss oil is that. I bought the container shown in the image in San Mateo county in the San Francisco bay area for $8.25. Moss is about $17.00 for less quantity. You can use for front and rear shocks. If you use a heavier oil you run the risk of impeding the flow of oil even if warm or hot - I probably described that badly. ~ 25% stiffer shocks can be obtained by adding washers, or, as I did, by changing the valves to the heavier duty kind. The pot oil is exactly as described in the posts. I bought the Moss pot oil prior to my research...