# 1950 Old 88 Shocks fluid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** eighty-eight, oldsmobile\ **Created:** [May 18, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072 "2017-05-18T16:01:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![voltminder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@voltminder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/voltminder)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/1 "2017-05-18T16:01:25Z")
I am restoring a 1950 Olds 88. The fluid in the shocks needs filled. Is there special fluid for this? I’ve been told that motor oil will work, but wanted to get a “second opinion” Thank you ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/2 "2017-05-18T16:10:31Z")
Have you checked on classic car forums? Somebody there might know exactly what to use. But I’d bet that 30-weight oil wouldn’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![sgtrock21](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/sgtrock21/32/246_2.png) [@sgtrock21](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sgtrock21)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/3 "2017-05-18T16:15:24Z")
Vintage British lever action shocks used 30w motor oil. I would still recommend being certain regarding what fluid the Oldsmobile requires. ---
**Author:** ![voltminder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@voltminder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/voltminder)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/4 "2017-05-18T16:18:03Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/5 "2017-05-18T16:28:53Z")
I just googled ‘lever action shock oil’ and got lots of links. Give that a try. What kind of a shock is it? ---
**Author:** ![voltminder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@voltminder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/voltminder)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/6 "2017-05-18T17:07:13Z")
> [@texases](#): > > lever action shock oil Lever action. search on ‘lever action shock oil’ did the trick…thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/7 "2017-05-19T03:45:28Z")
I would think ATF or jack oil would be a better choice than motor oil, especially #30 ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/8 "2017-05-19T03:46:03Z")
You probably need non- detergent 30 weight. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/9 "2017-05-19T09:57:36Z")
I wonder how many are reading this thread thinking: “Having to refill the shocks with fluid??? What the #%&\* are you talking about?” I suspect ATF or jack (hydraulic) oil. But, as mentioned, would be worth checking the classic car forums. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/10 "2017-05-19T13:25:15Z")
Why not use motorcycle fork oil?? Available in various weights, designed AS damper oil and available from any motorcycle shop. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/11 "2017-05-19T14:27:11Z")
Here’s what they look like. Front: ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/c/c7c99bb550fbedf087acc66f9274723cbb55bd4f.jpeg) Rear: ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/a/a215656e55f30a16e51f58cb3e25e54d664b7d9d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/12 "2017-05-19T14:32:06Z")
This begs the question, did you drain the fluid to R&R them? Have the seals been replaced? Because if not, I have a prediction for you… ---
**Author:** ![voltminder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@voltminder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/voltminder)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/13 "2017-06-01T01:42:19Z")
yes. Thanks to all y’all that provided help. I used hydraulic jack oil and that did the trick. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1950-old-88-shocks-fluid/104072/14 "2017-06-01T01:51:51Z")
Sincere thanks for taking the time to write back. Not only is it nice to hear of a success, but the information just might help others. We get questions here about cars and trucks of all vintages. Happy motoring. 😁