What type of oil/fluid do you put in the strut cartridge?

[ajmcforester]

IMHO the best to use is anti freeze, it is made to transfer heat and can also mix with water (condense), so that's what i use.

Cheers

I'd be worried of rusting

[240260280z]

Ditto

[ChrisZ]

C'mon guys, do your engine block rust ???..........

Coolant is:

Ethylenglykol: prevents the fluid of freezing and is good as heat transfer and it also mix good with water (condense)

Anti corrosive additives: prevents your engine from rusting and other kind of steel aswell.

Lubricant: to lubricate your water pump, not that it matters in this case.

So you guys can use whatever you want, ill stay with coolant;)

Chris

Edited May 27, 2011 by ChrisZ

[cozye]

When using cartridges, it's not important what type of oil is used.

The reason for the specific light weight oil with the original struts is that they weren't self contained catridges like the replacements, the oil in the strut housing was used for the valving in the actual strut. In that scenario, different weight oils have a drastic affect on the damping rate of the shock, and the oil must maintain it's viscosity through a wide range of temperatures so that damping is linear.

[ChrisZ]

When using cartridges, it's not important what type of oil is used.

The reason for the specific light weight oil with the original struts is that they weren't self contained catridges like the replacements, the oil in the strut housing was used for the valving in the actual strut. In that scenario, different weight oils have a drastic affect on the damping rate of the shock, and the oil must maintain it's viscosity through a wide range of temperatures so that damping is linear.

That is correct, but you still need some fluid for heat transfer when using inserts and i believe the OP was referring to that, if im mistaken and he have the original shocks, i would try with some motorcycle fork oil, try with different weights for different stiffness, but that's a whole other matter

[cozye]

^^, yes, sorry if that wasn't clear. I was merely pointing out that any oil would be fine. No whales oil or expensive shock oil needed. Motor oil or tranny fluid would work just fine.

[ZCurves]

Coolant is a very interesting thought. For the last 25 years I have used ATF. Heat dissipation is one of ATF's most important qualities. I may have to rethink the coolant trick though.

[conedodger]

Mineral oil.

[bpilati]

What does the paperwork that comes with your insert say?