how to get the air out of rear shocks

Post by **Onne** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:19 pm

How DO I get the air out of them? I have filled them with the proper oil, one of them is in good absorbing condition, the other isn't.

Onne

Post by **minor_hickup** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:25 pm

Have you tried moving the arm up and down? To get the air out of my front dampers I rocked the car up and down.

Post by **Onne** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:59 pm

Yes I have. maybe it's dead

Post by **minor_hickup** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:55 pm

how about just leaving it upright for a while, it may take a fair while for a bubble of air to move through oil

Post by **Onne** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:06 pm

I'll give it a month

Post by **minor_hickup** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:12 pm

jeez, it only took 3 minutes for me? still if youre going to do a job ...

Post by **Onne** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:52 pm

I am sure they won't be on the car for another 2 to 3 months

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:28 am

When I refilled my rear shocks with thicker oil I just ran the car for a couple of miles and topped up after. In that time initially the shocks were dire then they firmed up and then firmed up again after the top up. I think that would work as long as you don't have any large bumps or potholes close to home that would cause maximum rebound and mix the oil and air up again!

Post by **minor_hickup** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:52 am

By leaving it for a month do you mean with the bolt on the top removed? If so be careful because the workshop manual stresses that it is vital that no foreign matter enters the damper.

Post by **Onne** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:27 pm

Well, I'll try the bouncing up and down way then. With the tops on!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:04 pm

But Onne is in foreign parts - so 'foreign matter' is highly likely!

Just work it up and down full stroke until the oil gets expelled. If you have access to a vacuum box - then they can be put in that (top plug off) and the vacuum pulled - this gets the air out very nicely. But after initial priming - regular topping up for a week or two of running will be necessary.
Did you have the little valve out at the base ? If so - any chance you lost the little valve stem and/or spring ?

Post by **Onne** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:45 pm

I did remove the bottom screw, but I have all the bits. Now you mention it, maybe it's upside down

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:50 pm

Compare with the other one !

Post by **Onne** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:16 pm

I will. But I'll just turn the bad one upside down first. If that helps I have solved the problem