rear dampers

Post by **jbennett** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 6:06 am

The rear dampers on my Morry have not been looked at for around 10 years. Is it worth taking them off to inspect and refill with fluid, or should I just leave well enough alone if there is no immediate problem.
(There is a possibility they have lost fluid, but not sure how much. Back end is a little 'soft' too).

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 9:29 am

The fluid should be checked / topped up periodically. I usually forget mine but even if I was being good I wouldn't check more often than 1 year or 10K miles, if you are doing high mileage.
That way if you spot a very low level all of a sudden, then you know the damper is on its way out. Leaking rear dampers are not always obvious (unless its a major leak) as the area can get a lot of axle oil and muck anyway.
If the damper loses to much fluid it stops working, and that can be unpleasant when you turn on to a bumpy road, when you dont go in the right direction anymore!

Post by **jbennett** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:21 am

I have cleaned and refilled the dampers with the right fluid, but as they were a bit neglected, they are dripping fluid a bit more than I would like.

I was told to clean them out and replace the fluid with a thicker type to help stop the leaking, if I didn't want to spend the money on new or rebuilt ones.
Is this a good idea? And if so, what viscosity oil/fluid should I use?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:08 am

Thicker fluid would not stop the leaking completely, but it is likely to cause dangerous behaviour of the damper.
Recon Dampers are only about £18 exchange.

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:59 pm

best let it all drip out before your mot, and get cleaning, or get some new ones

Post by **jbennett** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:01 pm

I wish dampers were 18 quid on exchange in New Zealand. I've been quoted $280 for a pair!

Post by **Matt** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:25 pm

get a friend to buy some and ship them over.......

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:53 pm

Shipping would be expensive, and the reconned damper have, I'm told, been reconned several times over. I had a new one fitted in December. There's a new one waiting to go on now, because it leaked onto the garage floor...

Post by **Matt** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:11 pm

surely shipping has to be cheaper than $260........

Post by **jbennett** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:13 pm

How much are new dampers in the UK? (I have a '57 saloon).
I have relatives who should be able to send some over if the price is OK.

Post by **Willie** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:22 pm

JBENNET...now much is a rear telescopic conversion kit in
your country? sounds as though it could be cheaper than the
proper dampers?