-5mph/Bumper Energy-absorbers....

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-Anybody have any experience revitalizing a pair of Rear-bumper oil&nitrogen filled Impact-absorbers used on probably later C3's? The body and frame are factory-fine, and the two front Energy-absorbers are also OK, --but the rears are fully-collapsed, probably owing to leaking-out of the oil/nitrogen (probably most people don't even know they exist until you need'em! --Just wondering if anyone knows of a procedure for revitalizing them (or a Rebuilder?) as they look un-damaged. The '80/Vette ShopManual says just replace'em (GMC is eager to sell costly parts, -no?) if collapsed; but in their cross-sectional drawing it shows an unserviceable/check-valve built-in to aftward-end of the tubes, so am thinking of maybe installing a Schroder-valve (tire-valve) will enable me to perodically put-in say 100psi/Air to spring them back out into functional position, -no? These Energy-absorbers seem a really good idea, to greatly reduce rear-impact damage, so would like to fix'em; realizing that the inclusion of oil was a further ingredient to create a slower-rebounding action I imagine. Anybody.... Bob vH
;stupid ;help

 

[Eric]

Just a thought - I know nothing about the impact absorbers but I would have to thind that another reason for the use of an oil-like substance woudl be to reduce the chance of it leaking. Just like C3 brake pistons, air is going to find even the smallest point to escape or penetrate, where oil would not be as likely to escape.