Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi to you all,

When they recon a shock absorber, what exactly do they do?

It's a good question! Maybe just change the oil and paint it! Seriously - they 'should' take it all to bits (but I don't know how - I've tried and tried!) renew all the seals and any worn bearings - and then renew the oil and paint it!

Me too. I have never understood what they do, just some moggy factors unwilling to accept shockers as exchange units if deemed passed it? Makes you wonder!!

Well - I think if the shaft coming out of the body has 'play' on the inner bearing - it is probably past the stage where new seals will fix it, and so beyond economic repair. I do wonder is anyone makes 'new' ones these days - I'm hanging on to my spares anyway!

Definately keep hold of any good spares you have. As you say, recons include new seals, oil and paint - That's all. Any wear in the arm to body will result in parts not acceptable for exchange so unless anyone knocks up some new castings we'll just have to rotate what we have.... (not that there is any shortage though!!)

Obviously many are fitting tele dampers at the rear (although I can't see the advantage myself!) - but at the front, the originals must remain - because they are the top suspension arm. Fortunately - they don't seem to suffer arm/bearing wear anything like the rears do. Needs someone to come up with a redesigned top arm system - one that will put some negative camber on the wheel on 'bump' would be good!

esm do new ones