WTB 510 front shocks (cartridge inserts)

[xxPL510xx]

WTB both front shocks for a datsun 510 wagon 1972. In good condition.

Looking to just replace the stock cartridges as they are shot.

 

 

Location. L. A. area

 

Price: < $80 ? Depending on what you have.

 

 

Thanks.

[datzenmike]

Since you have to take apart anyway to replace them just do what I did.

 

I replaced the struts in my 710 with those from a Maxima (kept the 710 springs which are very close to the stock 510 spring) and not knowing how many miles were on them or how soft they were I simply emptied out the old thin (looked like water thin) hydraulic oil and refilled them with motorcycle fork oil. This can be chosen from a whole range or viscosities. (thicknesses) I used 20W which being thicker increases the resistance through the strut valving and I just love the damping effect.

 

I've heard of using automatic transmission fluid also. Both are full of anti foam and anti corrosion additives. The fork oil I got at a motorcycle shop and was about $17 a liter and only used about 2/3 of it. Hydraulic jack oil can also be used and it's ridiculously cheap.

 

 

If you do get replacement shock cartridges, be sure to fill up the internal space between it and the strut tube with hydraulic oil to within an inch of the top. The oil will conduct heat to the strut tube to keep the shock cooler.

[Chris#51EPGraham]

I have a good set of bone stock original PL510 wet cartridges for $52

shipped. PL510 struts were made in three different lengths, so we'd

have to both do some measuring to ensure they fit.

 

I can vouch for using motorcycle shock oil in these. I autocrossed on

a set from a 610 with 30w MC shock oil with 350 lb/in front springs

and thought the damping was fantastic. I got this idea from reading

that BRE did about the same thing on their race cars - they re-valved

them somehow, I did not and didn't see any need to.

 

 

The watery OEM oil that drains out of the average old cartridge corresponds

to about 70 lb/in stock spring rate and I'm guessing it's 5w oil.

[datzenmike]

I also guessed at 5w. Whatever it is, it's thin.

 

30W is not recommended in freezing climates. It's thick enough to bugger the valves up.

[Chris#51EPGraham]

 

30W is not recommended in freezing climates. It's thick enough to bugger the valves up.

 

Heh..heh....glad you pointed that out because the thought never occurred to me. I just happened

to swap them in and back out again during the race season.

[ggzilla]

These are strut cartridges:

 

As shipped from the factory, there was no cartridge. Instead there is a valve, piston and a lot of oil...

[xxPL510xx]

Thanks for all the info guys. Ill be looking at my options.

 

Again thanks for the information. Ill make another thread on my progress.