Front dampers

Post by **morristrnc** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:17 pm

Hi All,

I've just joined the board as an old Minor 1000 owner (1957), but hope to have one again soon.

A friend here in Northern Cyprus has a restored LCV (1963 I think) and complains of 'a bouncy front end'. Can we refill the dampers? If so which fluid do we use? Parts are difficult to find here, if we cannot refill the dampers I will have to source from the UK. I will be visiting there in October, any thoughts on where I can find new dampers?

I would be grateful of any help from the members.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:28 pm

Don't worry - I too am an 'old' Morris Minor owner - age doesn't matter! The oil in the dampers becomes ruined by the continual squeezing through the small orifices in the valves. It can be drained off if you carefully take out the valve at the bottom of each damper, and gently work the suspension to pump out the horrible thin smelly old oil! Take care to NOT lose any part of the valve ! Refill with normal engine type oil - standard would be SAE 20 (so 20W50 will be fine) but better damping is achieved if you use SAE30 or 40 oil (But that's NOT 10W40!!) which can be obtained at motorcycle and sometimes lawn mower places. Best to run some new oil through the damper to clear out all the old - refit the valve - fill up to within 1/4" of the top and bounce the suspension to squeeze out as much air as possible. It may take a few miles to settle down fully - and best to check and top up again weekly until the level stabilises. Of course - if the damper has been obviously leaking oil - it won't heal up, and a recon damper will be required!
Do you - or your friend - have a Workshop Manual ?

Post by **morristrnc** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:26 pm

Thanks for that bmcecosse. I will try it next week after Bayram (Wednesday). Should it prove to be unsuccessful, can you direct me to a source for new dampers please?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:22 pm

As long as your dampers are not leaking - it WILL be successful! Think positive!

Post by **morristrnc** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:01 pm

Never let negativity stand in your way my friend!

Post by **morristrnc** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:17 pm

We have an old time mechanic here named 'Mick two metres'. Given his name I first thought he was a rip-off taxi driver. No. He is so named cos he's 6foot 5. I tink he can fix any ole time car problem. I surrender the Moggy unto his care.