MGB MGB Rear Shocks

[Chris Tyler]

Hi All,

I am in the process of restoring my 1974 MGB. I have some parts and found 3 sets of MGB lever rear shocks in a box. Is there a way I can test to see if these are good? I didn't see any leaks. I want to clean them with mineral spirits and check them, box them up and store them in the attic until I am ready for them. Currently the whole car is stripped and I'm getting ready to begin sanding and body work to shoot new paint.

Any help is appreciated,

Cheers,

Chris Tyler

 

[Keoke]

Hello Tyler, First clamp the shock upright in a vice and remove the oil filler plug to see if they have fluid. Next slowly work the arm up and down still checking the fluid level it must stay up, add fluid if required, and try to determine that the resistance to movement of the arm in both directions is the same. If ok and you are going to store them they should be stored in the nomal position they have when installed on the car.-FWIW---Keoke

 

[Chris Tyler]

Thanks! What is the recommended fluid for the shocks?

 

[Keoke]

Tyler, I like 20 weight motorcycle fork oil.Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Dave Russell]

Harley Davidson "Hydraulic Fork Oil Type E for Showa Forks" worked well on my old shocks. When I asked Peter at World Wide what oil to use in my newly rebuilt shocks, he said that he had added seals that the originals did not have. If I ever needed to add oil something was wrong & to send them back.
D

 

[Keoke]

Hi Dave;
Peter, replaces the original seals with his own vitron seals. These seals are not sensitive to some of the hydraulic fluids/ motor oil people use in these shocks.---Keoke