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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Shock Oil

Spridget novice needs more help!

These lever shocks have me scratching my head.

Can they be serviced on the car? More specifically can oil be added or changed without removing them from the car?

Any advice or related threads I can read to learn about them would be appreciated!

Dave



DL Rhine

Oil can be added when the shocks are on the car. If you want to an oil change thats easier with the shocks off but with a burrete (to suck the oil out, operate the shocks and replace again) and some extra oil it can be done.
Bas Timmermans

aw32 hydraulic oil works fine.
Trevor Jessie

A plastic syringe - like the ones that come with computer printer ink refill kits - makes the job really easy. Push a 6" length of clear windscreen washer pipe in place of the needle.
To empty them out, undo the large cap nut and lift out the little valve mechanism complete. Then empty out the old oil with the syringe. To top up just remove the smaller side-ways pointing bolt from the "tower" part.

Guy
Guy Weller

Thanks for the advice...apparently not as difficult as I first imagined, but one more stupid/novice question: should the wheels be off the ground and no load on the shocks or on the ground in their normal position to achieve proper fill level?

Dave
DL Rhine

Trevor,

IIRC the original weight is about 20 so 32 should be fine if you like them a bit stiffer. Is sort of a cheap upgrade. Softsprings and stiff shocks is very performancewise:-)
Bas Timmermans

Hey DL,

I use motor cycle Fork oil, around 20-30 wieght, I use a wall paper paste syringe...it has a huge needle that is perfect for installing the oil, and removing it

I Dont know If Id remove it, I fear its been in there so long that if removed the crud build up in the joints of the moving parts would also be removed, making the shock wearout even faster...sorta like an engine that has never had an oil change in 60,000 miles then gets one then blows up 500 miles later....Id love to hear others opinion on this, as I have thought about this in the past.

Prop
Prop

All well and good doing all that work with the shocks still fitted to the car, BUT.....

You won't get the full benefit of a service unless you take them off and service them on the bench.

I drain the unit fully then flush with paraffin, I then blow all the remaining fluids out with compressed air before refilling with the desired oil. Whilst refilling, I operate the arm to expel any air that may be trapped in the shocker, this does take some time and patience, but is well worth the effort.

If you are going to service the shocks, why compromise.....?

Mark.
M T Boldry

I'm with you Mark, I'll remove and fully service the shocks this winter.

In the meantime,I'll try to top them off. Right front feels pretty solid, left front a bit weak...no visable leaks.

Just got back in from a test drive after a week of repairs (fuel system, tuning, etc.)...man, what a fun little car!

I've only had it for about 6 weeks and correcting years of obvious neglect and boneheaded maintenance...can't wait to get it fully sorted!

Thanks for the advice guys.

Dave
DL Rhine

Trevor

Just topped the front shocks off with aw32...took a spin down the freeway, found some railroad tracks and pot holes along the way, man , what a difference! Almost like new shocks...now I'm headed for the rear.

I'll pull all the shocks off & do a proper service this winter.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

Dave
DL Rhine

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2009 and 02/08/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.