Damper oil

Post by **deano69** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:56 pm

Is the differing types of damper oil mixable?Im thinking of topping up the oil when wheels are off and other things are being done but do not know what types been used before.The car is new to me and has covered 49000 miles so would the oil be the same as was put in there during production, which would indicate what type of oil they contain?

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:00 pm

Drain out the old oil (it will be past its best anyway) and refill with SAE 30 or 40 oil.

Post by **deano69** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:22 pm

Ah...its drainable with the dampers still on the car then?Im trying to avoid having to remove them if possible.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:32 pm

Fronts are straigtforward as they sit "upright". The rears you will have to undo one bolt and swivel the damper to the verticle position.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:33 pm

Don't lose any of the valve parts when you take the drain assembly out!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:40 pm

You can get the correct fluid from most Minor parts suppliers. Draining and refilling is the best solution as you don't know what's in there, and how long it's been there.

Roy has suggested using thicker oil, which drastically increases the stress on the damper and its mountings... A failed front damper mounting, would lead to a complete lack of control over the steering.
For uprating the dampers, there are also (safe) kits on the market.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:03 pm

Well - I used EP90 oil in my rally Minor - and the dampers didn't give any problems despite some serious 'white road' batterings! But I suggest for normal road use - SAE 30 or SAE 40 (that's NOT 10W/40) will be fine. Get it at motor cycle shop - although Tesco have the SAE30 in a small can in the gardening section. And yes- it make sense to check the tightness of the mounting bolts when servicing the dampers.