Author Topic: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers  (Read 2375 times)

dave91169

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52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« on: February 24, 2014, 11:13:16 AM »
The shocks on my recently-acquired 52 Willys Aero Lark were apparently original - they had "The Monroe Shock Absorber Company" stamped on them.  They were completely worn out.

The rear shocks were easy to find - Monroe 31094.  They're listed in the Monroe cross-reference, and fit fine.  Do NOT lose the hardware in/on the old shocks - the new ones do not come with bolts, steel bushings, or anything else that you can use.  The upper bolts have "thin" nuts that are a bit hard to get started, but nothing unusual about changing the rear ones.

The front ones, on the other hand, are not listed anywhere.  After looking through the complete Monroe e-catalog, I decided that the best candidate is Monroe 32267 shocks - they're a bit longer and fatter than the original, but have similar compressed and extended dimensions.  They have a "loop" bottom end, and a "stem" top end, like the original.  The other nearest candidate was a Monroe 5753 "Sensa'Trac", but it's about an inch longer than the 32267, and it's not a "Monroe-Matic", like the 32267 is.

The 32267 has a dust shield on it; no way it will fit through the upper wishbone.  Application of a 4" grinder with cut-off wheel to the dust shield will cut it loose from the shock shaft.  A bit of grinding with a bench grinder and application of a bit of paint fixes that end; use of a bench grinder on the rubber part of the loop (to make it the same thickness as the steel spacer in the bottom of the old shock) will make that end fit.

As stated before, do NOT lose any of the old parts; you will need some of them, especially the steel spacers.

The bottom bolts on the front shocks were thoroughly rusted into the wishbone arm, and to the lower shock spacer - I could get the nut off, but the bolt would not turn or budge.  Everything I had (socket wrench, impact wrench, heat, solvent, etc.) had no effect.  Fortunately, my son has an air hammer with associated tools; hitting the bolt with about 15 strokes a second will make pretty much anything turn loose!  Make sure you have one of these available if the shocks appear to be original.  I replaced the bolts with 7/16" Grade 8 bolts from Lowe's - that's the only type they had that were 7/16".

Once you perform all the modifications, and get the lower bolts to come out, the new shocks go back in easily.

Just thought I'd post this in case some other Aero owner is looking for front shocks, and what it takes to replace them.  Apparently, some of the other Aero's use loop-loop front shocks (like the ones on the rear of my Aero); mine uses loop-stem shocks on the front. 

Just looked back in my paperwork - a couple of other Monroe numbers that would probably work are 32235 and 31029.

Dave E
Madison, MS
« Last Edit: February 25, 2014, 09:43:38 AM by dave91169 »

MarkH

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2014, 07:02:58 PM »
Thanks for the info!
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

MarkH

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2014, 09:52:29 PM »
Just cleaned up an old front shock off an Aero, bottom loop, top stem type. It's a Monroe, #1027. Monroe says it's an obsolete number but cross references to a current Monroe Matic #31209 which is a matching model to the rear Monroe Matic #31094.
The old shock had an exposed piston, the #31209 has a dust shield, can't comment on any fitment issues.

I also cleaned up a Gabriel I bought myself in the mid 70's, #19032. Gabriel has no information at all on that number, never made it into the computer age. The Gabriel was completely dried out and useless, on the other hand, the old Monroe was still a decent shock except for the upper piston corrosion.

Edit: The correct front Monroe Matic number is actually 31029
« Last Edit: May 05, 2018, 08:37:34 AM by MarkH »
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

SC/397

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2018, 09:50:21 AM »
I actually work at Monroe and I am having a difficult time in trying to find the front shocks for the '52 and '53 Aero as well.  I have dug through many of the old catalogues and was able to find some old part numbers.  So far I have found that these are the applications and old Monroe part numbers:

Front: KB-18368, Monroe Matic 1027, Monroe Matic 2027, 32267. Gabriel 725432
Applications: Front 1949-55 Cadillac, 1954-55 Buick, 1952-53 Willys Aero, and other long gone automobiles.

Rear:  KB-18242, Monore Matic 1017, Monroe Matic 7017, 31094.
Applications: Rear 1949-51 Mecury & Lincoln, 1937-48 Pontiac, 1958-59 Pontiac, and most all of the Jeep vehicles of the '50's.

I will keep working on a solution for the front but it seams that the Cadillac folks are having the same problem.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2018, 04:08:17 PM by SC/397 »
1948 Empire Tractor
1952 Willys Aero Wing
1953 Willys Pick-Up
1958 M-274 Willys Military Mule
1962 AMC Mighty Mite
1968-1971 Various AMC Muscle Cars

MarkH

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2018, 10:08:46 PM »
The Monroe 31029 (NOT 31209 I previously posted) is supposed to have the same stroke as the old Monroe 1027. According to my record, I  bought a pair of those, packed the dust shields with shop towels and then cut a circle in the tops. Dressed them on a grinder, then some touch up paint.  Seem to fit fine but no road report yet. I've seen correct shocks listed at specialty vintage shock dealers, very pricey.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2018, 10:20:03 PM by MarkH »
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

RT

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2018, 02:14:05 PM »
That is great news!
Here is a link to Rockauto.com.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/monroe,31029,shock+absorber,7556

$16.77 each

RT
1953 Willys Aero Eagle
1963 Studebaker Avanti
1999 Replica Lamborghini  Diablo (Made it myself)
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
2014 GMC Denali crew cab
2008 Kubota B7800 tractor
2001 Damon Daybreak Motorhome

SC/397

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2018, 07:44:55 AM »
MarkH - Yes, I saw that you cut the dirt shields off.  My hope is to find a shock that all you have to do is change a lower bushing and sleeve.  I think that is what the Cadillac guys are doing. I will keep working on it.
1948 Empire Tractor
1952 Willys Aero Wing
1953 Willys Pick-Up
1958 M-274 Willys Military Mule
1962 AMC Mighty Mite
1968-1971 Various AMC Muscle Cars

SC/397

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2018, 11:40:40 AM »
 ;)
« Last Edit: July 08, 2018, 04:07:33 PM by SC/397 »
1948 Empire Tractor
1952 Willys Aero Wing
1953 Willys Pick-Up
1958 M-274 Willys Military Mule
1962 AMC Mighty Mite
1968-1971 Various AMC Muscle Cars

SC/397

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2018, 04:21:03 PM »
I finally took the time today to complete the research.  I found a really good replacement shock absorber for the front that doesn't require a lot of rework to fit.
Basically, you have to cut the bottom mounting sleeve to the correct length (1 3/16").
Monroe Part Number 32067.  The application is 1965-70 Buick full size and 1965-76 Cadillac. 

Here is a picture of the old shock and the new one side by side.
IMG950058 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

The bottom mounts side by side.  The inside diameter is correct and matches the old shock.
IMG950059 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

I used a arbor press and pushed the sleeve out enough so that I could cut it off.
IMG950060 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

Cut off and centered back up and ready to bolt on.
IMG950061 by Rick Jones, on Flickr

I had ordered a few extra pair so if anyone needs a pair let me know.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2018, 04:30:28 PM by SC/397 »
1948 Empire Tractor
1952 Willys Aero Wing
1953 Willys Pick-Up
1958 M-274 Willys Military Mule
1962 AMC Mighty Mite
1968-1971 Various AMC Muscle Cars

MarkH

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2018, 06:15:22 AM »
That certainly looks like a match to the original Monroe 1027.

Nice bit of research there!
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

SC/397

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Re: 52 Willys Aero Lark front shock absorbers
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2018, 06:30:32 AM »
Thanks!  At least I accomplished SOMETHING before retiring from Monroe after 24 years of service.  LOL!

Like I mentioned above, I have 3 extra pair that I could ship out either reworked or as is.  The as is price is the same as Summit at $32.00 a pair plus shipping.
The re-worked price is $50.00 a pair plus shipping.
1948 Empire Tractor
1952 Willys Aero Wing
1953 Willys Pick-Up
1958 M-274 Willys Military Mule
1962 AMC Mighty Mite
1968-1971 Various AMC Muscle Cars