shock disassembly

[pisten-bully]

Does anyone know whether or not the Monroe shock absorber as used on Indian girder type forks can be taken apart? I'd like to push out a dent in the top "bell" or housing and I cannot figure out how the thing comes apart so that I can get to the inside of the housing.

There are two tabs in the top housing but it appears that they simply give access to the rod inside. Maybe the thing is welded together at assembly? Seems like there must be a way without cutting.... it doesn't seem like a 1940's thing to do, I mean to make something that is not rebuildable. Thanks!

[pisten-bully]

Well, nobody offered up any ideas but I found this link and it looks like there is a way to take it apart, so I'm going for it!WWII Willys Jeep shock

[Robert Luland]

Harry, I read your tread a couple days ago and have been pondering it. About a year ago I was playing with a Harley springer shock, trying to figure out how they assembled it. It’s quite obvious the top housing sleeve is welded to the piston shaft. I was originally going to set it up in the mill and use a hole saw to cut around the shaft and remove. After studying similar small shocks it looks like the dome on the body was welded on after assembly. I was just going to use my flexible shaft drill with a 1” thin abrasive cut off wheel and sever the dome from the body, cutting in the center of the weld. Find the right seal, reassemble and stitch weld it back together with my tig a little at a time giving each weld ample time to cool as not to ruin everything I just did. All thou I never did follow through with this project. The need to know if I can pull it off still leaves it on the back burner. I figure if you go out and by a new shock by the same manufacture with the same diameter body, most likely the guts would fit in the old one. If you come across any material pertaining to shock rebuilding, I for one would love to see it. If I get around to this sometime this summer I will post pictures as I go along. I’m going to try it on an old junk yard shock first not a $350.00 springer shock. Best of luck, Bob Luland

[Robert Luland]

Harry, I didn't know the jeep thing was a link. The springer shock also has the trap doors. This is great stuff. I just want to know were he's going to get the parts. Here's the big question, will the new fit the old? Bob L

[pisten-bully]

Bob, on a whim I actually contacted Monroe to see if anybody there knew the inside story (pun intended) on their old shocks. They responded about a week later.... they expressed regret that they don't sell motorcycle shocks anymore and suggested I contact Indian for more information!

Depends on what you find inside that needs replacing I guess, but maybe if it's simply seals or o-rings on the piston they can be found from another application, and if, like that Willys guy had, the tube is cracked it can be repaired. Or maybe the guts from a more common or more modern shock can be scavenged and made to work? Could be whole new career!

[Robert Luland]

Harry, I cut a shock in my chop saw a few years back and the top was not threaded like the Willys one. It was sweged and welded. This is what got me thinking they were all done the same way. Looks like it could be a fun weekend prodject. I dont see why the seals and other goodies wouldn't fit as long as the bore was the same. I got a couple of old auto parts stores here that let me rummage though the basement when I want. Bob L

[cdf6333]

If you look around t a bunch of shocks, you'll find some with "little doors". THese are the ones that have been rebuilt, then the "doors" welded shut. I used to have one, but I packed it away and moved it. The doors, about 1/2" x 3/4",cut on 3 sides, I think, were opposite each other to get a spanner wrench in. Someone out there must have one to take a picture of.