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Morris Minor 1000 Suspension
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:58 am
by h20_mako
Recently i just notice that there is a difference in front damping between the driver's and passenger side.
When i push down on the driver's front wing, it feels hard and very little travel. but when i do it for the passenger's side, it travels quite a lot and its is much softer.
Any advice?
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:53 am
by David53
I'm assuming you have topped up both dampers with brake fluid? If not, do so...If both topped up then it sounds as if the LH damper has failed, hich is uncommon but not unknown. Only remedy is to replace the damper as far as I know
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:19 am
by Peetee
topped up both dampers with brake fluid
Oil surely?
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:36 am
by alex_holden
It should be a hydraulic fluid - I believe Jack Oil is what the traders supply.
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:46 am
by David53
Hmm....well I've always used Brake Fluid.........closest thing I know to the original Armstrong Hydraulic Fluid.....isn't it????
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:49 am
by paulk
Err no I thought 10 or 20w Jack oil was the nearest modern equivalent
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:54 am
by David53
Oh dear....I'm sure someone told me years ago that brake fluid was the go....Guess I need to find jack oil........are the dampers hard to drain? presume there is a drain plug on them??
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:19 am
by bmcecosse
DO NOT use brake fluid!! Drain the dampers by removing the valve assembly at the base - watch for little spring and washers. Pump the car up and down to expel the horrible old fluid. Worth flushing through with a little new oil - then refit the valve. Refill with engine oil - grade SAE 20 approximates to the original fluid (so 10W40 would be too thin) - for improved damping - use 30/40/50 grade oil as you find most suitable. Jack Oil - is just engine oil without some of the additives. The additives will do no harm to your dampers!
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:24 am
by David53
OK thanks for the advice. Would I have done any damage using brake fluid? Only been in there a month or so....
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:15 pm
by rayofleamington
I'm assuming you have topped up both dampers with brake fluid? If not, do so...
aaaah!
The correct oil is mineral based. Brake fluid is the opposite type and should never be used in mineral sytems.
Damage? Possibly reduced the life of the seal/s.
Best to drain, fill with the correct oil and work them a bit, then drain and refill again.
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:24 pm
by David53
Well I know what I'm doing tomorrow!!! Thanks guys
Does anyone have an exploded view of the front damper so I know what to look for re valve at the bottom when it comes out?
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:27 pm
by bmcecosse
Hopefully the brake fluid won't have done any real damage - but get it out! No diagram from me - just undo the valve - hold a dish below - and carefully extract the valve making sure the little spring and any loose washers don't get lost. The old oil may not run out until you bounce the car - take the filler plug off too!
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:05 pm
by h20_mako
which means its normal for the dampers to be harder on one side than another right?
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:11 pm
by d_harris
Not at all
they should both be the same....
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:12 pm
by h20_mako
alright i gotta get it check then. Thanks
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:15 pm
by bmcecosse
Drain and refill! Then compare again. One damper may well be 'past it's best' !
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:53 am
by David53
Thanks for the help guys. This morning I drained all 4 dampers and yes, oozy black stuff did come out. I also found that I had fluid remaining in the top of the front dampers but managed to drain it completely using a large srynge and tubing. Then I refilled (The srynge and tubing makes this a doddle on the back ones
) and bounced and bounced and bounced but i couldn't get any new oil to flow through. So I replaced the top filler cap and went for a drive. when I returned I could empty almost a full srynge into each one. I will leave it a couple of weeks of driving then drain and refill again.
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:32 am
by linearaudio
Well done, that man!
Excellent idea regarding the syringe, must remember it next time I have a fiddly task like that!
Could have done with it yesterday filling the dashpot on the boys' 1100!
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:38 am
by David53
Yes the srynge was brilliant - get a fairly large one and some plastic tubing and you can refill the rear dampers easily with no mess or spill.
Have just taken a long run and the suspension is much firmer and handling is much improved. Am now inspired to check all bushes and rubbers as well.
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:19 am
by linearaudio
For the price of a polybush set, I would say go for it! Some of the parts can be a pain to free off, like the front leaf spring mounts, but I was lucky and everything came apart easily!
Good luck, Pete.