Too soft or not too soft suspension?

Post by **timjsparrow** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:22 pm

Hello all, first time on this forum.

I volunteer with the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society's Vintage Car Section at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire.

Now, the head of our section is under the impression that the Suspension on 'Maggie' my moggie may be a bit soft as he thinks she is a bit bouncey. On the other hand he's not sure as he seems to remember minors being a bit bouncy.

How soft (or firm) should the standard suspension be on a Minor?

This is my first minor so I'm leaning about everything as I go and as such have nothing to compare it to.

Tim Sparrow.

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:26 pm

Kinda difficult to describe softness or hardness with text but as a rule for any suspension.... Bounce each corner up and down and if the car continues to bounce when you stop then new dampers are required. If it settles immediately then you are OK. Dampers can be refilled with engine oil to stiffen the ride if you desire but you will loose out on comfort.

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:27 pm

"Bouncy" suggests the dampers aren't doing their job.
See if there is any oil in them.

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:40 pm

Deleted

Post by **timjsparrow** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:50 pm

She seems to settle down quite quickly, I push down on the wing, let go, she comes back up and then settles back down again with a very small jolt (a very tiny bounce if that's a better description perhaps a slight wobble but only a very small one) how's that?

The drivers side is a relatively new arm and damper one the front, the left one is a bit older and is slightly softer but not a great deal.

Could it just be that she needs the oil replacing in them? I've never done it so I have no idea of the last time it was done.

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:07 pm

I'm wondering about his memory now.
Did you go over any speed bumps?
I have to creep over them although the susension is fine.
They probably didn't exist last time he rode in a Minor.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:15 pm

The old oil in the dampers soon gets ruined - best to drain it all off (take care to NOT lose springs/washers/valve mech) and then refill with new oil. Standard is SAE20 - so 20W50 will be fine, for better damping - use SAE30 or 40 (but NOT 10W30 or 10W 40 !!!) - sold as 'lawn mower oil' by Tesco and/or my most motorcycle places in 1 litre packs. I'm sure you will notice a considerable improvement - even if you just use new SAE 20 oil!

Post by **timjsparrow** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:17 pm

That's a good point (MarkyB), I don't know when the last time he rode in a minor was. Yes, I do creep over speed bumps, otherwise I do tend to bounce a bit. The last time Neil round in mine he was sitting on the back seat and the springs aren't great in the back seat, so when we went over a bump on a country rode the bounce my have been somewhat exaggerated.

It was when Neil pushed down on the wing that he thought she was a bit bouncy, but from what you've all been saying, I think the suspension its self is ok, its probably just a case of replacing the oil in the dampers as I have no Idea when that was last done.

What grade is recommended?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:20 pm

See above ! We crossed posts.

Post by **timjsparrow** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:40 pm

Thanks a lot folks, I shall get that old all replaced. I must admit, when I checked the level of the front dampers this afternoon the oil didn't look particularly healthy from what I could see.

If anybody or any of your branches fancies a day over at Shuttleworth, I shall try and arrange it. We have two air displays a month from May to October and the Collection is open everyday of the year except Christmas Day and Boxing. Everything fly's, drives or is capable of operating. You will be more than welcome.

Thanks again, much appreciated, I'll let you know how she is once I've done the oil replacement.

Best Regards

Tim Sparrow

Post by **d_harris** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:54 am

Web Rally Territory I think there.....

As a forum we kinda count as a "branch" and have a rally twice yearly (could be anywhere in the country) normally at a place of Historic interest or a meuseum of some kind so Shuttleworth could be really good - especially with an insider

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:29 am

Do you do 'cab rides' Tim ?

Post by **RobThomas** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:22 am

Can I bring my....

Post by **timjsparrow** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:41 am

Ok If the web forum wants a rally over at Shuttleworth I'll try and get something sorted out for next year. All I need is some details which I can pass on to our events organiser then they can take it from there.
In the past, at air displays, we have hand branches of the Morgan, MG and Austin Healy owners clubs. Visiting car clubs get their own parking area right up by the flight line. There is a charge, but from talking to members of other car clubs I don't think its too steep.

As regards 'cab rides', strictly we are not aloud to have the general public riding in the cars because of insurance. I'm afraid that you as a group would still be regarded as general public as far as insurance is concerned.

I may be able to sort something out though, we are always looking for passengers in period dress!

Post by **timjsparrow** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:48 am

To Rob Thomas, yes you can bring your microlight, but not behind your minor, you'd have to fly it in as a visiting aircraft. All you have to do is give the collection a ring to book it in. Its a £10 landing fee I think, which also classes your entrance fee. That is on a none show day, it may be a bit higher for show days I can't remember off hand.

You'll find phone numbers etc. at www.shuttleworth.org

Post by **RobThomas** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:19 pm

MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmicrolight??????

Post by **timjsparrow** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:15 am

Oops, sorry about that, no its not is it. I can see that now I look more carefully at the photo.

Post by **xpress** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:30 pm

when i have gone over a speed hump in the moggie, i found the suspension very hard, too stiff, almost painful like a kids wooden go kart going over bumps!

could i soften the ride while keeping the stock springs?

Post by **dollywobbler** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:40 pm

My tuppence worth. As a 2CV owner, the Moggie is never going to float over speed humps like the soft-Citroen. The biggest issue is the leaf-springs. They can often give a very bouncy ride over big undulations.

However, I'm very tempted to try and oil drain/refill on the dampers of the Moggie I'm looking after currently after reading this useful thread.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:08 pm

Hi Tim engine oil as suggested is not the recommended correct oil to use in your shock absorbers if you cant get the correct item from one of the spares specialists the nearest equivalent is jack oil as used in hydraulic jacks.
If you want a direct comparison pay a visit to the local cambridgeshire branch and compare your car with some of theirs, you can find the list in the l/hand column.

could i soften the ride while keeping the stock springs?

Are you sure the dampers are working correctly and that the rear springs (there are not any others) haven't gone flat.