Squeak, and a leak? Help!

Post by **Matt_S** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:29 am

Hi there I'm new to Moggie maintenance as I've just taken over my soon to be wifes minor from her dad.

We are planning to do L2B Sunday and yesterday noticed a squeak from back right. Initially thought it could just be the rear seat but thought I'd check this morning before work. Looked underneath and the damper is wet all over with oil and there is a wet patch in a slightly different position as if it has leaked before we took it out yesterday.

1. do dampers leak as a matter of course - do I just need to top it up?

2. is there a seal problem?

is there anything else major that the squeak could be i could have missed?

Will be really dissapointing if we can't do L2B

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:52 am

Dampers must not leak - MOT fail. No point topping it up (well, short term there is - but it's just going to leak out). You MAY be lucky and find the leak is just from the filler plug or the valve assembly at the base - but it's a forlorn hope really. Recon dampers are not expensive - or check here in Sales section.

Post by **paulk** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:21 am

Before you order the recon damper check the link arm that attaches the lever on the damper to the body. This is a seperate component and, if the rubber bush is damaged, may as well be replaced now rather than later.

I cheated and picked one up at a scrappy but they are about £11 +vat and p+p new

Post by **Matt_S** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:35 am

So oil on the damper basically means new damper - if I can't get one today / tommorrow is the car driveable.

Also would this have caused the squeak, didnt seem to squeak if you pushed down on that corner

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:47 am

Oh - top it up with engine oil and go on the run !! Squeak could be the damper - or the drop bar link as paul says - or maybe the leaf spring and/or it's bushes - or maybe the brake shoes rubbing slightly because the cylinder is seized - does it stop squeaking if you pull on the handbrake slightly ? Either way enjoy the run and fix it later.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:51 am

bmcecosse wrote:Oh - top it up with engine oil

With the usual codicil that they are meant to be topped up with the correct oil. Do one with engine oil and I guess you should really do both for balance.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:39 pm

It's all going to leak out anyway - so no point buying the super expensive rip-off stuff !

Post by **Cam** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:06 pm

I agree. The rear dampers don't do a great deal anyway. Top it up, go on the run and fix it after. The front ones are far more serious than the rear!