Dampers

[simmitc]

Please look at the photos below...[frame][/frame]

[simmitc]

[frame][/frame]

[simmitc]

Now, the damper on the left is a standard Minor item. So far as I know, it was fitted for the entire production run.

Note that the unit on the right has a bigger casing, and the filler screw is on the back of the unit instead of the top. It has the patent number 729876 and design numbers 873885 and 32712 on the case.

Does anyone know from where the damper on the right originates? Was it ever fitted to the very last Minors in 1970-71? Is it from another vehicle such as a Wolsey?

Any information most gratefully received. Thanks.

[//no.comment]

Hey,
This improvement is documented in section L of the workshop manual.
Apparently its to help prevent high temperature fade!
they are type DARs8/R rather than just DARS8, this change was made on car number 24067

Hope that helps, it also mentions that they should only be fitted in pairs, hope you have another one!

[simmitc]

Thanks for the idea, but page L.4 of the manual states "The new front dampers are identified by a spot of green paint and the rear ones by the valve, which is now horizontal below the bump piston.". All the drawings appear to be the very early units, where the valve is vertical, quite different from that shown in my pictures, where both valves are horizontal. Assuming that "Car number" refers to the chassis number, then 24067 would have been around September 1949, not 1970-71. This ties in with the very early cars having a slightly different design of damper, but unfortunately doesn't get any closer to identifying the new unit I have shown, or proving whether it was fitted as standard to very late cars. Again, thanks for spotting the bit in the manual and taking the trouble to post.

[bmcecosse]

Well - does that 'unique' damper look significantly larger (can't tell from pics) - and will it bolt on the standard mounting? If so - USE it!! And report back.

[simmitc]

The casing on the new unit is significantly larger than that on the original. The bolt holes line up OK nut the nuts are so tight against the casing that it's impossible to fit a socket over them, and even open ended spanners will move only a fraction of a turn at a time before they jam against the casing. I'm really just trying to pin down whether there is any evidence that this style was every fitted as standard to the Minor. I've not seen them before, but am open to correction...

[bmcecosse]

I guess not - but what a good find! You could use Allen Head cap screws. If you do find what car they came from - let me know - I want a set!! Just a thought - are MGB rears like that ??

[ian.mcdougall]

See link

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... 69&start=0
I have similar shocks that were given to me but the crank has extra holes that some suggested were for a Riley 1.5 or A35
On eof them has a paper sticker wih ACA 4002 on it