Checking & filling shock absorber fluid

[Guest]

Anyone ever checked their shock absorber fluid? I looked in my MG Midget repair manual and the only thing I can find on the shock absorbers is how to R&R (remove & replace) them. Do you remove the screw on the top side of the shock to check the fluid level? Should fluid come out? How do you determine if the fluid is low? I have been checking the front suspension, steering, & brakes on my 76 Midget (the former owner replaced almost everything) to ensure that everything is ok but I would also like to check and top off the shock fluid. Any suggestions, procedures, or help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jlaird]

Do a search on this subject, PeterC has given us many words of wisdom from his extensive overhaul business.

If they don't leak they will not be low. Bounce the car and see. Or even remove and try to move the arm, it is a real stiff movement.

 

[zimmy]

if theyre not already new , u should change them...
makes a huge difference....the big bolt on top is
the filler, but as jack said ..if it isnt leaking
dont worry about it, and if it is replace it ....zimmy

 

[Guest]

The car has 55K original miles. The shock absorbers do not leak. They all have stiff movement. When I bounce the car the car stops after 1 bounce. I think the shocks are in great shape but I was wondering if I should check the fluid level. I have only owned the car for a month and I have been going over it and replacing fluids, checking & replacing filters, & checking suspension & steering components. I greased the undercarriage and was just wondering about the shocks. I haven't owned a car with lever arm shocks since my 1931 Model A in the mid-1070s. Thanks for the assistance.

 

[zimmy]

dont mess with em then....or change your trunnion bushings if ur still interested in a closer look...zzimmy

 

[Guest]

Zimmy,
The previous owner had already replaced the trunnion bushings and the front suspension, brakes, & steering are in great shape. I just wanted to top off the shocks if they need it but since they don't leak and work great I guess I'll leave them alone.

By the way, one of the on-line lever arm shock rebuilders (World Wide Auto Parts) told me that 20W fork oil is the best to use on the lever arm shocks.

My next job is to replace the rear leaf spring bushings & pads. Those are the only components that need to be replaced on the rear suspension. The previous owner did a great job on the undercarriage. You could eat off of it.

 

[JerryB]

"""""""""Tbirdtony"""""""">>>

"""""told me that 20W fork oil is the best to use""""

and NO , dont use OLIVE OIL!

Seriously ...about the only way to check the fluid level in the rears is to remove them as the plug is almost inacessable.

The fronts are almost as hard but at least u can get the plug out and add oil with a syringe till it runs out the fill hole.

if no leaks then they must be full is....er...well...uh...

 

[zimmy]

olive oil!
funny, gyugg gyugg gyugg yug, as
Popeye would say ; )

the guru of shocks says use Mineral Spirits.....

 

[JerryB]

""""""""olive oil!
funny, gyugg gyugg gyugg yug, as
Popeye would say ; )

Tony is Italian...thus the Olio.....get it?

 

[Man-goes]

Rear shocks are not that hard if not hard to see and thus messy. With rubber gloves, I use an aquarium air hose and fill the tube with motor cycle fork oil 20 using the old thumb on the end of the tube adhesion principle. The tube fits perfectly in the fill hole. Refill until the fluid runs out of the shock. Remove the link arm to pump the shock arms a few times, top up, reconnect the link and you’re done.

Front shocks are another matter. A friend refilled a late night Danger-Ride with Amaretto. It worked so great the next morning he created his own mixture for the other shock. Cheers.