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MG MGB Technical - Filling of shocks

As a MGB newbe, I have yet to receive all the maintenance books so far my query is do I jack the car up to check the fill level of the shocks or can I do this with all wheels at their normal position?
CCN Charlie

It's easier to do the fronts with the wheels off the car. If you can access the fill plugs with the wheels on the floor it's OK to fill without removing or lifting the wheels. Ideally it is best to disconnect the shock arms and pump them after filling them. However upper trunion bolts in the front may be difficult to remove. I would just fill them and let driving pump them, then recheck after driving.
BTW, Welcome.

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

You may already know this, but just in case remember that you don't fill the shocks with ordinary oil - use motorcycle fork oil!
Miles Banister

Appreciate the info Clifton. Wil try that when I get home from Lake Gaston. Thanks again...Charlie
CCN Charlie

Miles, Is their any particular brand that you recommend. Thanks..Charlie
CCN Charlie

Any quality 20-weight motorcycle fork oil will work, or you can order oil from Moss Motors which is designed for these shocks. Don't use mineral oil or hydraulic jack fluid. They don't have the anti-foaming agents necessary to prevent air pockets forming within the shock.
Steve Simmons

On non-lowered rubber bumper models, you can get at the fill hole without jacking the car or removing the wheels - just turn the steering wheel hard left or hard right, respectively, and look past the wheel, from the front - hey, there's your shock.

There's an access plug above each rear shock, on the package shelf behind the seats, to allow you to fill those. Again, no need to jack it up.
Sam

Charlie, I'm almost certain that I used Castrol, but Steve is right - any good quality fork oil will do.
Miles Banister

APPRECIATE THE INFO FROM ALL....THANKS AGAIN,CHARLIE
CCN Charlie

I've used auto trans fluid in my rear lever shocks and they seem to work very well.
Barry
Barry Parkinson

All, is this a routine maintenance thing or is it an indication that the shocks have leaks and are shot if the level is down?
Tom

The level will only go down if there is a leak. But a leak doesn't mean the shock has to be rebuilt. You can continue to top off a leaky shock and it will perform just the same. However if it leaks so much that the oil level drops significantly, you may develop air pockets and performance will suffer.
Steve Simmons

If the level continuously drops then I'd say they *do* have to be rebuilt as there is obviously a leak. I've never had to top up, but I have had to replace when they suddenly start leaking, sometimes quite significantly dropping on the floor.
Paul Hunt 2

What I mean is, the shock only "has" to be rebuilt if the owner doesn't want to top them up now and then. Being leaky won't damage the shock unless it is allowed to run dry.
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 15/04/2007 and 23/04/2007

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