Shocker Shock!

[myoldjalopy]

Hello. After fitting new shock absorbers to the front a couple of years ago I decided to recently check the levels as part of routine servicing. I got the filler plug out but, as soon as I removed it, to my surprise a gush of oil came welling up out of the shocker. I just put the filler cap back on quickly.

At least the oil looked good and clean but I can't understand what happened - it was like it was overfilled rather than underfilled. I didn't bother with the other shocker as I feared the same thing would happen
Anyone got any useful comments?

Thanks,

Pete

[bmcecosse]

DAMPERS - there are no shockers on a Minor unless you touch the HT leads with wet hands... Obviously trapped air in the dampers and therefore not working as they should. Are they leaking? Drain and fill with SAE40 oil for best performance. Where did you get 'new' dampers anyway? These have been out of supply for a long time now - only 'reconditioned' ( ) units have been available for several years.....

[simmitc]

Every "recon" unit that I have fitted in the past few years has had exactly this symptom. They still seem to work, just disconcerting when the oil spews out. As long as there is oil in there to the correct level, then all should be OK.

[bmcecosse]

There should only be a small air space at the top....

[myoldjalopy]

Well, "Damper Shock!" wouldn't have been such a good title Roy!

If these recon units do this as a matter of course, I want to know why. I'm not going to touch either of them again unless they stop working properly..........they are not leaking.

[philthehill]

As it says in the BMC wksp manual Section L, para L3 -

"When fluid has been added the lever arm should be worked throughout its full stroke to expel any air that might be present in the operating chamber before the filler plug is replaced. The interior of the body should be filled with fluid to within 3/8" (10mm) from the top of the cover"

I will add that the lever should be worked until ALL air is expelled and just giving the lever a cursory movement will not be sufficient to expel the air. The movement of the arm is best done with the damper disconnected from the suspension whether it be a front or rear damper.

[whyperion]

If car is under load, wont pushing down on the wing work the arm ( and splash excess fluid over engine bay ?)

[philthehill]

No - pushing down on the wing will not get the full movement (see wksp man sect L. L2 where it quotes 'working the arm over its full range of travel') of the arm and damper pistons that is required to expel the air.
If you are expecting oil to splash put a cloth or paper towel over the top of the hole to catch any expelled oil.