Front/Rear Dampers

Post by **MalaysianMoggy** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:46 am

Hi All, and a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all. I am just reading up on doing a clean up and top up on the front/rear dampers on my saloon. the good ol' haynes manual says top up with sae20w.

sae20w not very common here (20/50 yes) what is the best oil to use in the dampers and would I be advised to remove the dampers, clean them up, drain and refill?

Thanks again for your valuable advice.

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:59 am

AFAIK the book recommends "Armstrong Hydraulic Oil" which you can't get any more, but you can get hydraulic Jack oil, which most people seem to use. Someone on here recommends EP90, but I'd be VERY reluctant to use it - too much strain on the damper mounting bolts.

Post by **jojax64** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:57 pm

Try ESM:

http://shop.morrisminorspares.co.uk/pop ... p?pID=1360

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:02 pm

It's probably me that has said I use EP90 oil in the dampers - and I have NEVER had any problems with the damper bolts -but I do tighten them before filling with the thick oil. I have also used 20w50 with fair success - not as good as the 90, but better than the horrible old oil that will be in them now! The oil gets 'shredded' in use - being squirted through small holes year after year - and goes very thin and smelly! I strongly recommend draining off the old knackered oil - and I am sure you will be pleased with 20w50 in them. Takes a wee while to get all the air out - regular topping up will be needed for the first few weeks till the residual air all works it's way up to the top.

Post by **MalaysianMoggy** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:17 am

Thanks guys, I think given higher external temperatures here (a balmy 26C today) I might be better with EP90 (Plus I happen to have some handy) - better viscosity and probably last better than 20/50

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 7:22 pm

I have used it in all weathers here in my rally Minor many years ago. Current car is Morris Traveller and i have just used 20w50 in the dampers. Neither oil makes the dampers stupidly 'hard' - but DO tighten the mounting bolts anyway! I have also added telescopic dampers at the font of my Traveller - and the two together give really excellent damping - lovely ride that smoothes out all the dips and undulations without any re-bound and no crashing onto the bump stops ! I have yet to figure out a satisfactory way of adding dampers at the rear - there just is so little strength at the back of a Traveller! I guess some sort of Forth Bridge structure across the back would do the job - but so far the 20w50 oil in the standard lever arm dampers has been ok.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:58 am

...crack!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:29 pm

Not so far - and that's 6 years with current Traveller, and many hard rallying years (incuding lots of white roads) with my old 4 door!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:09 pm

Got to agree - have done this myself with numerous minors with absolutely no problem. Make sure bolts are tight before you do it though as I've never had a minor yet that had tight shock bolts when I got it.

Pete

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:22 pm

Exactly.

Post by **MalaysianMoggy** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:29 am

"I have also added telescopic dampers at the font of my Traveller - and the two together give really excellent damping "

I would be grateful on details on this improvement bmcecosse - thanks