Ah.....what a co-ink-a-dence.............. Mine thru a rod last fall and I just got around to finally getting it all fixed up again. We'll see. I had one that was tight, the other was okay. I got my manual out and it called for some crazy no name fluid to be used. not much of an answer. I pulled the plugs and dropped some power steering fluid in(only took a few drops actually). I figured it needs to be a fine fluid, so stayed away from thick stuff. One works fine, the other is still stiff, though it does move. I made my own rods from 1/2"-20 grade 5 all thread and 1/2" heim ends since I couldnt find any replacement arms/ends. I got it all back together last Saturday, but haven't taken any pics(will soon). Hopefully it won't bend the rod on one side like it did? Time will tell. I looked at the unit pretty hard trying to figure out how it all came apart. No good. Seems the one version I have seen used on old T buckets were just rubber pads compressed among flat plates(no fluid needed). I think those were "friction shocks". Synders place is a top notch outfit, been there a few times as it's about an hour from me. They do high end resto work on alot of different stuff(for themselves only). They have a nice collection of Ford Thunderbolts(like 6 of them, the first and last one made), plus other lightweight stuff and unusual factory builds.