My Left Front Lever Shock is Leaking

[Shinsen774]

A few weeks back I discovered by front dampers (lever shocks) were low on oil. Topped them up with motorcycle fork oil 20w. Now the left front shock is leaking. My first thought is that I am in for a replacement/rebuild. My research thus far points to the best deal being a rebuilt unit from https://www.nosimport.com for $75 plus core charge.

What are your thoughts? ideas? suggestions? things I should be thinking about or checking? Mine is a 1964 MGB Tourer.

Second question, my shocks fill from a port on the side (towards the wheel). Some photos of some shocks I see fill from the top. https://www.nosimport.com and Brti-tek hotos/drawings are like mine. Moss and others are top fill. Does it matter? What's the difference?

Finally, is this a pretty straighforward repair/installation for a relative novice like me? Bentley and Haynes manuals make it sound pretty simple, remove one pin and four bolts and swap it out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tony barnhill]

If you've not solved it by the time I'm back from Europe, contact me - I've got several good used ones.

 

[jlaird]

Peter C at Nosport does excellent garanteed for ever work.

Nice guy, call him. I'm sure he will send you rebuilds and let you return the cores after you install them.

Do em in pairs is my advise, both fronts together.

Tell him not to paint the shock bodies. sigh.

 

[Steve_S]

I second the recomendation for rebuilds from Worldwide, and to replace in pairs. They will most likely never leak again.

Top fill shocks are for MGA.

 

[sultanoswing]

I third Peter C of nosimsport / World Wide Autoparts fame - top quality damper rebuilds. Buy once, install and enjoy for years!

A warning: replacing the front dampers is one of those jobs that as you're doing you realise there's a whole lot of "while your there's" i.e. upper and lower link bolts might need replacing, distorted a-arm holes, new coils, brakes, poly bushings etc. etc. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Shinsen774]

I purchased a pair of rebuilt shocks from Peter at Worldwide/NOSImport. They were shipped and in my hands in just a few days and seem to be done well. Plus, they were less expensive than any other option I could find. I installed the left front shock with a lot of effort, but did not have to cut the pin out as some have suggested may be necessary due to corrosion and seizure. The old shock is in terrible shape with the seal completely blown out on one side.

The right front pin is proving to be more stubborn, although the nut came off easily at least. I am soaking with parts loosener and waiting at this point. I found a replacement pin in my large cache of parts that came with the car. The threads on the one that is stuck in there are not right and the nut doesn't want to go back on (and I'm not going to force it!).

The rest of the front end looks great with what appears to be many new parts, new bushings, etc. Y'all may recall I just got the car in December. I have some documented history, but not complete especially on more recent maintenance and repairs.

Update to come. I appreciate any additional advice or insight.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I ditto Peter C's work, best thing going with Armstrong lever shocks.

 

[DrEntropy]

A warning: replacing the front dampers is one of those jobs that as you're doing you realise there's a whole lot of "while your there's" i.e. upper and lower link bolts might need replacing, distorted a-arm holes, new coils, brakes, poly bushings etc. etc. \:\)

That's th' truth of it. I've had a set of new kingpins and bushes languishin' inna shed for YEARS in anticipation of this job on Herself's car... Now it's time. V-8 lower A-arm bushes, all the rest to be poly. Adding a sway-bar and new a-arms for that. An "All-at-once" job. No sense doing it piecemeal. And if there's even a HINT of shock leakage Peter gets another order for two front dampers.

 

[Steve_S]

My quick front end job resulted in the cross member completely off and everything painted in POR15.

 

[DrEntropy]

That's what I'm in fear of! I get sucked in and don't know when to pull th' string. gah.

 

[Shinsen774]

Well, I had to cut the pin out last night. Days of soaking in parts loosener got one side loose but not the end with the pin. The torch didn't work either. The old shock is off now, but I can't get the pin head out of the lever arm. More soaking, possibly the torch and an e-mail in to Peter at Worldwide/NOSImports for suggestions.

Anyone here have any advice on this?

 

[jlaird]

Why heck, send the shock and the lever arm to Peter, he will rebuild and send back in just a few days. Like new or better and life time waranty.