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Rebuilding Shocks

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M

MikeH

Jedi Hopeful
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Hi All, I'm looking for information on rebuilding and maintaining lever shocks. Can anyone point me to articles or information? Thanks, Mike

71 MGB OD & Wires
63 TR4 Surrey Top ( in the paint shop ) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Hi Mike!

Interesting that NINE other folks "viewed" you post with NO comments!?!? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Search the Archives or do a google for World Wide Auto Parts. Gent's name is Peter Caldwell (he is at Iola, WI show this weekend /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif). He's got WATS line so just call him and he will fix you up with The BEST re-builts in the world!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Ed
 
I just came on line...so, I've gotta ask this question: what problems are you having with your shocks?

Each of us has our favorite vendor for different items. I like using MG Ltd. in Wisconsin for my shock rebuilds. Other people use other shops.

But, do yours need rebuilding or just a fill up with mineral oil? By the way, the clear mineral oil you buy at your local drug store is all you need.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tony, I wish you had made it to Gatlinburg for my seminar.

Peter

[/ QUOTE ]

You & me both, Peter....I actually prefer going to the seminars over looking at the cars!
 
MikeH, to answer your questions: generally all that is required in terms of maintenance is to ensure they're topped up with 20W oil (motorcycle non-synthetic fork or Moss sells the 'proper' stuff) & check they're not leaking excessively.

In terms of rebuilds, I'd go with the guys above - essentially it's a 'non-user serviceable part' - get 'em professionally done.
 
I'd have to disagree... I believe them to be user serviceble - but I believe everything is user serviceable if you have any inkling of how something might work... or if you study intensely everything you can find on the internet about the subject at hand...

Case in point... My Air conditioning system died a week or so ago. I know nothing of HVAC systems. But after one opportune moment, I did some serious studying and fixed it myself for $16.00 as opposed to $75 or more.... what my neighbor paid someone for the exact same problem.

Everything that can be sent off to be fixed - if you look for the info in the right places - is user serviceable - especially pay attention to the safety aspects... they sound scary (in my A/C problem - possible life threatening - if I didn't do it right)... so, for those without the penchant for doing it "by the book" and exactly "to the letter" in these cases - call a local professional - they'll gladly take the risks you don't want to.

My 2¢ worth.
 
The latest issue of MGB Driver has an article on lever shocks that covers pretty much everything a DIYer could do.

For what it's worth, I had WW rebuild mine and would recommend them w/o reservation. They were done quickly, painted per my request (rebuilt my units, finished them w/ natural body and painted arms) and were well protected for shipping. I even emailed Peter a question on a Sunday afternoon and got a reply within a half hour. While I've never met him, he seems to have a passion for what he does. Two thumbs up for WW.

Paul
 
For what it's worth, I had WW rebuild mine and would recommend them w/o reservation. They were done quickly, painted per my request (no paint) and were well protected for shipping. While I've never met him, he seems to have a passion for what he does. Two thumbs up for WW.

I agree without reservation, just copied Pauls comments. This is a good place to do business. Miss Agatha agrees.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'd have to disagree... I believe them to be user serviceble - but I believe everything is user serviceable if you have any inkling of how something might work... or if you study intensely everything you can find on the internet about the subject at hand...



My 2¢ worth.

[/ QUOTE ]


Consequently. he got smart and sent them off to Peter C at WW to have them rebuilt.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tony, I wish you had made it to Gatlinburg for my seminar.

Peter

[/ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
Maybe you have a copy of that seminar Peter you can mail to Tony,he need it---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks for all the responses. At this point, I don't know that there is anything wrong with my shocks. The car rides like the shocks aren't working at all. The rears have fluid and resistance, haven't checked the fronts yet. I like to do whatever work I can do myself, and right now with a just finished Triumph engine rebuild, the Triumph in the paint shop, and a quick going over to get the MG back on the road; money is really hard to come by. I agree that in a lot of instantances that it makes more sense to let thr professionals do the job. Thanks again, Mike
 
MikeH - simple test for shocks on the B is to bounce each corner of the car - if it rebounds much more than once (or even worse, bounces up and down 3-4 times before coming to rest), the shocks are dodgy. Although you can test them off the car, moving the arms by hand and checking for even, smooth, firm resistance throughout the stroke, a recent Moss newsletter seemed to suggest that such off the car loading was not a real reflection of 'in use' performance.
 
[ QUOTE ]
He's got WATS line

[/ QUOTE ]

I can't add anything to the technical discussion, but there's a term I haven't heard in a while!

I like the look on people's faces when I tell them my phone number is VAnce 1-blahblahblahblah...... ;-)
 
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