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What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 11:51 pm
by singleton
Hello all just wanted to get some advice on what oil people are using to put in the shockers? got my car out the garage tonight where it has sat for a good while and it seems to lean a little to one side, nothing appears rotten or broke so want to top up the shockers and see if it levels it up. Is there a level in the fronts so you no how much to put in?
Re: What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 7:54 am
by alex_holden
Hydraulic fluid. It's sold as 'jack oil' in 1 litre bottles in good motor factor type places. The damper fluid won't have anything to do with the ride height though.
Re: What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 8:27 am
by bmcecosse
Absolutely nothing (as Alex has told you) to do with the ride height. These are 'dampers' (not shockers!) - they only damp out unwanted oscillations by absorbing the forces into the oil (as heat) by squirting it through small holes inside the damper. You will get MUCH better damping if you drain off the horrible old oil and refill with SAE 30 (or 40 for even better damping) - the original spec oil is SAE 20, and most 'jack' oils are only SAE 10 which is too thin.......... But you need to look elsewhere for the car's uneven stance. Most Minors spend most of their lives being driven with only the driver on board - often they settle lower on that side. The front torsion bar is easily adjusted to lift the suspension at the front - longer shackles can be fitted to raise the rear if necessary, or swap the rear springs over to even out the load!
Re: What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 12:46 pm
by singleton
Thanks for info, it's the front nearside that's a touch low, do u adjust the torsion bar by undoing the bottom arms? By adjusting 1 spindle how much higher would it go? It's not out by a great deal.
Re: What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:05 pm
by bmcecosse
Yes- you need to separate the bottom arms- knock the back arm backwards till it clears the splines - adjust the vehicle height then knock the arm forward onto the next spline and rplace the bolts. It will lift that corner by ~ 1 inch.
Re: What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 7:24 pm
by aupickup
1 spline approx 1 1/2 inches
the rear vernier adjustments by 1/4 inch
Re: What oil to put in shockers?
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 9:00 pm
by bmcecosse
1 spline = 1.5 inches IF adjusting up both sides at the same time. But I suspect just lifting one side will only gain ~ 1 " - because it will be partly lifting the other side too. I suggest messing about with the rear adjustment will be a very difficult/frustrating business - unless it's all brand new of course - no rusted up bolts
