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Rear Lever Shock Help

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KVH

KVH

Obi Wan
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My rear lever shocks on my 4A IRS seem weak. On one for example, the arm drops all by itself, and the force to raise it isn't much. When it drops, it does so slowly, but it still drops.

Can anyone give me a good way to test these old Armstrong lever shocks.

Could the problem just be low oil?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.
 
Do what I did with my TF shocks. Send them to Peter Caldwell at World Wide Auto Parts in Madison, Wi. When you get them back, their better than when they were new. Rear shocks are cheaper than fronts on a MG, not sure on your car. This is what mine looked like when I got them back. Perfect! PJ

TFShocks1.jpg
 
If you can move it easily, it's not working. Could be just low on oil.

Your IRS shocks are probably supposed to be a little softer, but it takes me several seconds of all the force I can muster without hurting my hands to move mine through a full stroke in either direction.
 
They do leak. Check the oil level. I used to use Harley fork oil in mine. Now I have tube shocks inside the coil springs.

Dan B
South Charleston, WV
66 TR4AIRS EFI
80 TR7 DHC
 
The harder you push, or actually the faster you try to push, the more resistance you should feel. But, left alone, the arm should drop on its own weight. There is a bleed port in the valves. There should be a difference between pulling up, nad pushing down, too. I can't give you a number or a value to test for, though. Make sure there is enough oil, not too much, just to the bottom of the lid or gasket is sufficient. If the oil has leaked out, usually from the shaft packing, consider a replacement.

Peter
 
PeterC said:
But, left alone, the arm should drop on its own weight. Peter
Click to expand...

What a great forum. That's all I needed to hear. But I'll check that oil and drop some "fork oil" in there if need be.

Happy Thanksgiving to All.
 
KVH- Happy Thanksgiving.

There are many fine folks out there that refurbish Armstong lever shocks. Before you send your shocks out for rebuild; spend a minutes at home to determine if they really need rebuilt.

Read pages 6 and 7 of this document, follow the instructions and you will have either working lever shocks or know for sure they need rebuilt.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/92509/Trailing-Arm-Bushings-Final

best wishes
 
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