shock absorber oil type and how much

[whitworth1/4]

Hi there,
what grade of oil should I use in the front and rear shock absorbers ( origional standard type ) and the quantity required?

Pete

[don58van]

Hi and welcome

There is a lot of previous discussion about this here. If you do a search, you will find all you need to know.

In short, it seems that the original oil in the dampers is equivalent to monograde 20 engine oil.

If you want to improve (increase) the damping, you can try monograde 30 or even monograde 40.

Monograde oils are not as easy to find as multigrades. Monograde 30 is often sold as lawnmower oil.

Some recommend other types of oil.

Don

[whitworth1/4]

Hi there Don,
thank you for your reply.
Do you know the capacity of the shock absorbers, I can find nothing in my workshop manual or anywhere else for that matter.?

[don58van]

Hello again

I can't give you a precise measurement. From memory, it seemed like only 1/2 cup.

So if you buy a 1 litre bottle, you will easily do all of them (the rears need to be taken off to refill).

Don

[whitworth1/4]

Hi there Don again,
when filling a shocker, do I fill to the very top of the filling hole and move the arm up and down when doing so as to remove any trapped air inside?

[don58van]

Yes.

When taking the plug out of the bottom, be very careful not to lose the valve parts that will be released. And note how they go together when replacing.

D

[bmcecosse]

As above -you first need to drain off the stinking old oil - and then run new oil through till it 'comes clean'. Then top up and work the arm till it gives even resistance full stroke both directions - and top up to near the top - leave a small air space. And revisit a week later to top up as required. The difference in the damping will amaze you.. SAE 40 or 50 oil is the way to go.. And that's NOT 10W40 or even 20W50...........

[whitworth1/4]

Hi there all,
thanks for all the information, I now have the confidence to carry on and do the job, fortunately the units are off the car , so that is a definite plus for working on them..
cheers

[bmcecosse]

Let us know how you get on! Plenty of SAE 40 (and 50) oil on ebay. 1 litre will be MORE than enough .

[whitworth1/4]

today did the deed.
all shockers are on the bench.
removed the drain plug and the internal bits just fell out.
had to put oil into oilcan so as to get oil into very small hole in the top of the shocker.
had areal work out trying to flex the arm and get the oil into the vessel.
the amount was very small, a litre would do many shockers.
all is now done and ready to reinstall.
see the pics of the valve bits that came out of the drain hole.
note the very small washer, it goes on the shaft before the spring, well that's how it came off , so that is now guarantee that it is in the correct place, but that's what I found...
I hope this is of use to some folks out there , feeling their way in the wilderness of BMC patronization......

Peter[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

PS: the blue colour in the pictures is the cover of my workshop manual.........how fitting

[bmcecosse]

Well done ! Was the old oil 'smelly' and runny? What oil did you use in the end? And - is the arm movement of each damper now noticeably 'harder' ?

[whitworth1/4]

hi there,
I used a straight 40 grade oil.
The oil that came out was black, very runny and well on the nose.
I flushed the inside with kero before filling with new oil.
The movement of the arm is now very firm indeed, but my arms are relatively weak by comparison, I'm sure that
when the weight of the car is applied , all will be well, at least better than before.?

[chickenjohn]

ESM sell "Jack oil" for the dampers. I have tried this and it works perfectly well, improving the ride by a noticeable amount when then old dark grey oil is replaced with new "jack oil".

[don58van]

Hi Whitworth

A fellow NS Welshman here.

Where did you get your 40 mono oil?

I am using Penrite 30 mono.

Cheers
Don

[bmcecosse]

A stand at the recent Moffat classic show was selling 1/2 Litre bottles of SAE 50 - for £1. Just the job! Otherwise - plenty on ebay in 1 litre bottles. You could try a motorbike shop - but they will try to sell you expensive 'fork oil' when all you need is engine oil. I used EP90 in my old rally Minor and it worked perfectly well - but I hesitate to recommend that to everyone. I'm not sure the 'kero' was a good idea - just flush with the new oil - it's only a few tea-spoons full.

[whitworth1/4]

hi there,
local mower shop sells straight oil for ride on's . B&S engines use straight grade oil.
If using kero was wrong, its now too late, because I'm fitting up the front steering/suspension gear and its
bolted on..
and teaspoons is about right to, A one litre bottle will do a Morris minor fleet.

[bmcecosse]

Well done - the comment re 'kero' was just to advise others perhaps reading the thread.

[whitworth1/4]

hi there,
disregard the 40 thing, looked at the container and it was 30 grade, black plastic container, with Briggs and Stratton on the front.
all mower shops sell this oil and it is perfect for Morris minor leaver arm shock-absorbers,( my opinion).
don't worry about how much oil is needed, a one litre container will service a fleet of Morries, we are talking so many teaspoons here...yes teaspoons, so get the shockers off the car and flex your mussels , who is the strongest, you or the shocker?
Peter

[bmcecosse]

While 30 grade oil will be better than the stinking/thin old oil in the damper - 40 oil is better and 50 is even better still!