Suspension

[Bonkie]

Can I fit mini shocks to my Morris minor front and rear

[bmcecosse]

NO

In any case - they are 'dampers' not shocks....... But the good news is - all you have to do to improve the suspension damping is drain off the horrible old oil and refill with SAE 40 engine oil - and that's NOT 10W40 oil. It is straight SAE 40 - may have to go to a m/c place. Don't get fobbed off with 'Fork Oil'.... SAE 30 would be a second best choice -Tesco garden section in the season.Probably all cleared away just now to make space for Christmas Cr@p ...........
Cost of this mod = very little. Effectiveness = excellent!

[Alex'n'Ane]

Basically no. Go have a look at how the 2 suspensions compare... You can buy front and rear tele damper kits however, of varying quality and design. usual suppliers, esm bull motif etc do one, and jlh do a more advanced one.

[David W.]

Is there anything else to drain/refill the shocks? Do they need to be worked while refilling or bled like brakes?
David

[bmcecosse]

Remove the valve assemblies in the base (take care to not lose any small parts...), and the fill plug. Be ready to catch the horrible smelly old oil that will run out.. Bounce the car up and down and old oil should run out - if there is any in there... Add the new oil at the fill point and keep on gently bouncing until obviously 'new' oil runs out. Refit the valve assembly and bounce until all the air works out of the oil - the bounce should become noticeably more firm!! Top up the oil - but leave a small air space at the top, and fit the fill plug. Check and top up after a week - and again after another week -assuming in both cases that the car has been used during the weeks !! Note you do not want 10W40 or even 20W 50 oil. You want SAE 40 'straight' oil......

[Trickydicky]

Hi David,
You need to "work" the dampers to remove the old oil. The fronts can be done on the car but the rears need to be taken off. Be carefull when removing the valve assembly as its easy to lose the bits. You will need to work the dampers a few times to move the oil through the internal valve system.
When I replaced my rears due to leaks from the seals I replaced the nuts with nylocks and new spring washers. They are 3/8" BSF.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

There was an article in Minor Matters Technical Tips years ago about fitting mini telescopic shocks to the rear of a minor. I did the conversion on my black 1961 minor as the dampers were knackered. Worked ok but I found it a bit harsh/stiff. Have removed it now in the course of restoring the car.

[bmcecosse]

Very bad idea - Mini dampers are designed for a much smaller/lighter car with short travel suspension with progressive rated rubber springs which have considerable inherant damping. And - they are far too short! Standard dampers with 'thick' oil are excellent for normal use, and even for somewhat 'spirited' use.... Try it - you won't be disappointed.