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Clunking from rear shocks ...?

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SteveHall64Healey

Jedi Trainee
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My rear shocks are making a clunking sound. This is happening upon launch and in the first few milliseconds of braking. I've checked the rear brake cylinders and they are staying firmly in place. Do my shocks require a rebuild or flush and fill periodically. I am fairly certain that tje previous owner did not maintain them.
Thanks
Steve
oakville, ontario
 
Hi Steve
I could be on the wrong track but my MGA was doing the same. It turned out to be worn hub splines: a clunk on braking and lift off. Might be worth checking if you haven't already replaced them.
Cheers
Matthew
 
SteveHall64Healey said:
My rear shocks are making a clunking sound. This is happening upon launch and in the first few milliseconds of braking. I've checked the rear brake cylinders and they are staying firmly in place. Do my shocks require a rebuild or flush and fill periodically. I am fairly certain that tje previous owner did not maintain them.
Thanks
Steve
oakville, ontario
Click to expand...
Before you tighten up the shock bolts check to see if you have movement that would indicate the holes in the frame mount have gotten "oval". Same for the shocks. I had this problem with one shock mount on the rear.
 
I also traced a clunking in the rear of my BN7 to the two bolts that attach the left rear shock to the frame. Both loose. The right side was snug, however.
 
If the splines are worn, try tightening up the wheel spinners a tad to prevent movement - just to see if it reduces/removes the problem. I know my front splines are worn and I get a clunk on braking, wacking up the spinners helps, they are down for replacement in the fullness of time along with new wheels. The shock bolts are also prime suspects as previously stated - best of luck

:cheers:

Bob
 
The shock mounting bolts need to be very tight. If shock is indeed loose or holes are oval, suggest replacing mounting bolts with grade 8 bolts and tall nuts with medium-strength threadlocker - to be able to tighten extra tight.

Flange locknuts would probably also work well. See:
https://www.fastenermart.com/html/encycnuts.html
 
RDKeysor said:
I also traced a clunking in the rear of my BN7 to the two bolts that attach the left rear shock to the frame. Both loose. The right side was snug, however.
Click to expand...
It also was my left rear shock. Common problem to this particular shock?
 
steveg said:
The shock mounting bolts need to be very tight. If shock is indeed loose or holes are oval, suggest replacing mounting bolts with grade 8 bolts and tall nuts with medium-strength threadlocker - to be able to tighten extra tight.

Flange locknuts would probably also work well. See:
https://www.fastenermart.com/html/encycnuts.html
Click to expand...

I use hardened/Grade 8 flatwashers under the bolt heads. This increases the clamping area and hence the total clamping force of the (Grade 8) bolts. Also, I'm a big fan of threadlocker but it didn't work for me in this application (possibly because the bolt can turn). I use split lockwashers.
 
Must be something about rear left shock! Mine also was leaking and moving.... Perhaps the leaking is what started the loosening of the bolts?

I have just fitted telescopics - a few more weeks of trimming and fitting seat belts etc, and then I can try them out! :driving:
 
SteveHall64Healey said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. The shocks are very tightly bolted the frame. Does anyone know if there is a mtce procedure for them?
thanks
steve
Click to expand...

Am a little confused. The shocks have been bolted solidly all along and still clunk? Are you sure it's the shocks? Maybe I'm misunderstanding...
 
No, I am not certain that the clunking sound is due to the shocks. To rule out the shocks as the source of the noise, I checked for tightness as recommended by the various posters, and I would now like to perform the maintenance procedure on the shocks -if there is such a procedure. As mentioned previously, I doubt that mtce on the shocks was ever performed by the previous owner, and if there is such a procedure, my shocks would therefore be due for it. Does anyone know if there is one? I had imagined that this might include fluid changeout (and how to do that) as well as changing parts know to wear out....

steve
 
I am not aware of any maintenance (short of a complete rebuild) other than topping them up with oil occasionally.
Keith
 
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