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MG MGF Technical - Urgent! Shock absorber

Hi

After investigating a knocking/rattling from the front of my F on Saturday it appears that the front shocker has come off its bottom mount! Basically the rubber at the base has come out of the shocker which then just slid off the front :-(

I tried my local motor factors yesterday for a replacement but none of them can get hold of them. Before I bite the bullet and have to get one from the MG dealers parts department (expensive I presume!) does anyone know anywhere else where I can get one?

Cheers

Richard

P.S. As the other front shocker seems fine, I presume I only have to change the broken one?
Richard Eaton

MS does a set of poly bushes for shocks ... see his website. You may have to change in pairs tho.

Gaz
Gaz

>>You may have to change in pairs tho.<<

You should DEFINITELY change in pairs. I have heard loads of good reports about these replacement bushes. Incidently the ones on mine are also kaput (see http://www.mgf.4mg.com/cgi-bin/framed/1893/suspension_upgrades.htm )- but that should get sorted @ Techspeed :o)

Don't worry Richard- it is usual for MGFs to seek revenge in this manner if you try to sell them... ;o) LOL
Rob Bell

Hmmm

Now I'm confused! So are you saying that the rubber bush isn't part of the shock absorber and I can just buy a pair of new bushes?

And yes Rob, MEMS must be cleverer than we suspected - the F has been fine until it saw its replacement in the garage on Friday night ;-)

Cheers

Richard
Richard Eaton

>>So are you saying that the rubber bush isn't part of the shock absorber and I can just buy a pair of new bushes?<<

If you approached Rover, then I am sure that they would say 'you'll have to buy a new shock absorber mate'. But Mike has had new lower shock bushes made up to replace worn out originals to serve this market.

Rob
PS At least your F hasn't tried to kill you like Dirk's tried to ;o)
Rob Bell

Cheers Rob

I think I understand now then. I'll give Mike a ring at lunch and get him to send them out to me, looks like its a job for tomorrow night instead of tonight now!

Thanks

Richard
Richard Eaton

Sorted!

Spoke to my dealers parts dept and of course "we don't sell the bushes seperately sir, only new shockers, they are £54+VAT each". As expected really.

Spoke to Mike Satur who knew of the problem and is posting out a set of replacement poly shocker bushes today for £18 :-) He recognised me by name, we had a quick chat, and he solved my problem at a decent cost - now that's customer service :-)

Cheers

Richard
Richard Eaton

Dampers "walking off rubbers". Rover introduced a new larger washer which prevents this happening. RYF100430. Now the parts list shows this as From (V) XD 507465 but as far as I can see it fits older vehicles.
Terry Cox

Richard,
When my dealer pointed out that my rear shocker lower bushes were on their way out I went hunting for replacement bushes as well. After speaking to Mike S, he went out and had the poly ones designed and cut.
I changed them (all, fronts and rears, top and bottom bushes) in about 2 hours.

You don't need presses or anything, but undoing the top nuts can be a little tricky, as the whole upper section of the shocker rotates. Just grip it with a pair of swan necks or try a wide opening pair of mole grips.

The access for the front ones is good (you may have to release the epas fuse holder). The rears can be done without opening the engine access hatch, by going down through the engine bay grill. For the right hand rear, you will probably have to release the coolant reservoir from its mounting (without disturbing the coolant system.

I was so impressed with Mikes poly bushes, that I also ordered the rear tie bar/tca bushes as well!

If you need any more help, please don't hesitate to drop me an email on
paul.lane@virgin.net AND
paul.lane@fly.virgin.com
Paul
Paul Lane

Paul, did you take any pictures/ have any instructions for an FAQ?
Rob Bell

Thanks Paul

Mike's poly bushes arrived in this mornings post as promised so I'll get it done tonight.

I'm only doing the fronts and when I discovered the problem I was very impressed with how simple it was to remove the shockers/bushes. I should hopefully be able to do both sides top and bottom within an hour.

Rob - Unfortunately my Dads got the camera at the moment (well, it is his!) so I won't be able to do any piccies to go with the instructions.

Cheers

Richard
Richard Eaton

Rob,
Unfortunatley, when I did the job, I didn't take any, and only thought afterwards that it would have made a good article for the FAQ.

Richard,
Good luck with the bushes. Should be a breeze.

Paul
Paul Lane

This thread was discussed between 21/05/2001 and 22/05/2001

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.