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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Shock Absorber Fluid

Now that I have been driving my 55 TF (1500) for a few months I am finding that the front shocks are doing almost nothing. Before springing the $200 for a new set, I want to try topping up the fluid. None of the auto parts shops in my area have ever heard of shock absorber fluid. Can anyone steer me to a supplier?

By the way, the numbers on my car are very close to those of Dave Sheward's, so I am guessing that it was actually built in 1954 and titled as a 55, but I still call it a 55 TF 1500.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any leads on shock absorber fluid.

Mike Munson
Michael Munson

Mike,
Motorcycle shops usually carry shock fluid/oil, some even have it in various viscosities. (the higher the viscosity number, the greater the dampening effect of your shocks) I'm currently using "jack oil", sold to be used in hydraulic jacks. It works just fine and is readily available in most auto parts stores.
Carl
Carl Fritz

Try Moss Motors they have the correct oil viscosity. Put in the wrong stuff and you will blow out the seals. Fill to just below the level of the hole. Make sure area around the bolt is very clean as any dirt will ruin a good damper. If they show signs of leaking after you fill them, then is time for a rebuild.
colin stafford

Im in the middle of fixing up the old car, A nice old TD, Now she has the old Girling type shocks, the ones with the large cap on the top, now do I just loosen it off, the cap that is, and pour in some shock oil.
Brawn

Brawn, Yes. Dave#1.
capdave

Thanks All. Colin, I couldn't find anything listed in the Moss catalog. Maybe I don't know where to look, but I came up empty.
Carl, the Motorcycle shop sounds like a good lead. I will check it out. I had always wondered if hydraulic fluid would serve the purpose. I guess that's basically what the "jack" oil is that you said you use.
Anyway,
Thanks again
Mike
Mike

Mike,
The fluid is in the front part of Moss catalog...mines in my car so can't tell you what page..but toward the front as I recall. I'll start another Sh--Storm here but, .....I agree with Colin get the right stuff ...it doesn't cost that much....Somewhere in the archives I brought this up once before about a "well-meaning" oil change guy that put the wrong fluids in a bug-eye we had and ate all the seals out of my freshly re-done shocks & brakes. In a nut shell ...saved a couple of bucks on fluids and spent a bunch of time & $ down to do another re-build. Remember ...Cates is going only by memory....he used to have a TF at the begining of this summer!
Just bustin' your chops Dave #1 ...I'm still TFless also!
Cheers,
David "A1" 55 TF 1500
David Sheward

Michael, If you get the cap off those shocks, please let me know how. A previous owner of my 51 TD used a cold chisle. I am looking for a 1"7/8 socket to fit the top... Once off and the fluid topped off, anyone have any advice on preparing the threads to make sure the next effort is easier?
Walt
Walter Thompson

I had a similar problem with the rears. Couldn't open them, so I removed them, clamped them in the vise, and still couldn't open them. Tried gentle heating with a torch, but smelled rubber burning, so I backed off. I then called the previous owner, who said he also never could open them...which takes us back almost 20 years! These probably were the originals, so I don't want to swap them for a rebuilt pair. Haven't even tried servicing the fronts yet.

Any other ideas?
Steve Markman

Walter & Steve - The caps are difficult to get off because of rust and the rubber gasket having gotten fouled in the threads, which, by the way, are extremely fine. Steve, the rubber you smelled burning was the gasket material getting hot. I got the tops off of my shocks by using heat and a pipe wrench, an inellagent method but less so than ancold chisle. Once I got the cap off, I drilled a 1/4" hole in the top and brazed a 1/4 - 24 nut on the inside so I could fill the shock without taking the cap off. If I was to do it over again, I would go with a larger hole and bolt, like 3/8 or 1/2 inches. You might want to contact Peter Caldwell at World Wide Auto Parts (e-mail nosimport@mailbag.com) and ask him how they get the caps off. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Source for Armstrong Damper Fluid (MG's have Armstrong's)
Try Abington Spares 1 800 225 0251
Item 550839 on page 59 of catalog. Comes in pints.
Fill resevoir up to the bottom of the casting, and leave air space for the bolt to go in. DO NOT OVERFILL
When you replace the filler bolt use a "very little spot" of anti seize under the bolt head thread, and try not to get it in the damper. Or if you like, teflon tape.
colin stafford

This thread was discussed between 20/08/2001 and 28/08/2001

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.