Front damper knocking

[Dryad]

My Minor has an annoying knocking noise when going over slightly uneven ground and I've traced the noise to the N/S damper. The spindle on which the damper arm is connected seems to have a small amount of play and some of the damper oil looks like it has leaked out. Is it just a case of putting in more oil or will I have to replace the whole unit? In case you're wondering, the top and bottom trunnions are fine and not worn at all.

[MarkyB]

Replace the whole unit is the answer.
You'll have to support the weight of the car while you do, at least.
Doing the other side too makes sense as well.

[Dryad]

Thanks for that. I thought that might be the answer. I think the O/S one has already been replaced as it looks newer than the N/S. Just looked on DSN Classics website and it appears they only do the O/S ones, so it looks like I'll have to order by post.

[MarkyB]

What's the problem?
When I order Minor parts they normally arrive next day, I'm always impressed how painless it is to get bits for such an old car.

[bmcecosse]

You probably won't get an 'exchange' for that damper -but you can try!

[Dryad]

What's the problem?
When I order Minor parts they normally arrive next day, I'm always impressed how painless it is to get bits for such an old car.

I didn't want to have to pay postage costs. DSN is only just down the road from me.

[bmcecosse]

Go ask them - they may well have one - just not on the website. Or maybe they will get one in for you!

[Dryad]

Right, I got one from Bull Motif in the end. All was well until I started to undo the four bolts holding the damper on when I noticed the top two came out very easily with virtually no force needed to undo them. The reason? - whoever put that damper on had overtightened the two top bolts and taken most of the thread off! I'm really hoping that the captive nuts still have some decent thread in them, so I've ordered a set of new bolts and will see how it goes. Otherwise, what can be done? Recutting the thread in the captive nuts and using slightly larger bolts? Anyone else done this?

[bmcecosse]

I haven't done it - but tapping out next size up (probably go metric ?) and larger diameter bolts will be fine. I'm not sure how 'captive' the plate is - so hold it firmly with two bolts at all times - so it can't slip out of position!!

[MarkyB]

All too common I'm afraid, they are fairly thin bolts considering the job they have to do.
It may be that the threads have been beaten down when they were loose rather than stripped and that new bolts will be OK.

Once upon a time many years ago I chiselled a big enough hole in the top of the box section so a nut, or maybe two, could be fitted to the thread protruding past the retaining plate.
I wouldn't recommend this approach, however it does point up how thin that plate is.
Comparable to one of the two that only have to hold the door on!

[chickenjohn]

Try tapping out the thread in the captive nut plate with the same thread as thye original bolts rather than going larger. For some reason, my engineer neighbour friend said that tapping out to another slightly larger thread size is not a good idea.

[Dryad]

Many thanks all. I will try tapping out with the same size as the new (original size) bolts first. Anyone know what the torque is on these? If that fails I'll have to try tapping it out a size bigger. The cutting of a hole in the box section would be the very last resort!!!

[MarkyB]

Good plan!
Just don't go bonkers tightening them up, use a ring spanner and your arm to do them up.
Not a 2 foot torque wrench and all your body weight!

After a day or twos driving check them again.
A loose bolt is temporary, a stripped thread is a PITA*



"Pain In the DONT SWEAR OR YOU WILL BE BANNED" tee hee, I said DONT SWEAR OR YOU WILL BE BANNED.

[Dryad]

B!~*£***!!! I tried one new bolt by carefully screwing it in by hand, making sure it wasn't on the wrong thread, then lightly tightening it. Hardly any pressure applied but it didn't seem to tighten very much, so I took it out again and noticed the thread on the new bolt had started to strip. So it looks like I will have to tap it out to a size larger. Should I use the same type of thread as the original? If so, what type of thread is it?

[MarkyB]

Just find some bolts that will fit and cut the threads to suit.
Still don't go bonkers tightening them up, the plate they go into isn't very thick.

[taupe]

You could use one of these kits
http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/det ... duct=44064

Theres plenty of suppliers of these kits out there so you might find somewhere cheaper.

The thread is 5/16" BSF I believe and would provide a good repair and you can then use original bolt sizes.

[bmcecosse]

Don't fancy it for something as important as this.......

[Dryad]

Thanks taupe, looks like the very thing for the job, and a tenner cheaper than they are on eBay! I think it would be ok, bmcecosse, as the load is spread over four bolts and it was obviously adequately strong enough with just two bolts with good thread on them up until now, although I don't know how long it had been like that as I've only had this Minor for three weeks. The problem with using a larger bolt is that the holes through the damper are already a fairly snug fit as it is, and I wouldn't like the idea of weakening it by widening the holes.

[MarkyB]

Well worth a try.
Quite how you will decide when to stop winding it in might be an issue but the instructions should cover this.

I did think the bolts were a particularly snug fit, but it's been a while since I've done anything in these area.

[bmcecosse]

I would drill out the holes in the dampers....... Good luck with the 'kit' It will be a nightmare to use in that location.