Andy,
Good ole 20/50 is fine except that it doesn't have the anti-cavitation
additives and the 50W qualities aren't desireable. Hydraulic jack oil and
fork oil are equivalent enough for these shox. Heavy duty oil is not
recommended but not because of "blowing out the seals" rather the internals
of the shock become stressed. Don't worry about oil and seal
compatability.... petroleum oil is fine. There was a post last week, maybe,
that made a leap that if there is incompatibility of brake fluids US to UK
then the same must be true of shock oil..... not true. Older Austin
driver's handbooks recommended "topping off" with motor oil if the proper
fluid were not available. Rigorous testing has proven the seals are
compatible with petroleum oil. A straight weight 20 is acceptable, but the
jack oil is preferred.
Peter C
----
At 08:47 PM 2/21/2000 , Andrew Proudfoot wrote:
>Mike;
>Please correct me if I am wrong & I know this has been discussed before but
>what about good old Castrol 20W50????? Why the added expense (time looking
>if nothing else)???
>
>Andy P.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Michael Graziano" <mgraziano@mindspring.com>
>To: "Bart Niswonger" <bart@cs.washington.edu>; <mgs@autox.team.net>
>Sent: February 21, 2000 11:20 PM
>Subject: Re: shock fluid
>>> Well, there's the expensive shock fluid sold by the usual culprits. Or
>you can use a light duty, non detergent motorcycle fork oil sold in any
>> motorcycle store for $3.0 a quart.
>>>> Don't use the heavy duty oil or you'll blow out your seals.
>>>> Mike
>> '78 Midget
>>
>>
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