shock absorbers is this right ?

[trabant]

Living as I do in sunny ( cough ) Carlisle me and Gladys have to put up with some absolutely terrible road surfaces and some massive speed bumps. The car has always had a loud band coming from the from left when going these sounds like the shock on the front passenger side isn't slowing Down the downwards motion of the spring when coming off an obstacle. Anyway I whipped the lids off the two front shockers to be greeted by a load of grey gunge with a very heavy smell somewhat like gearbox oil but actually it smells like hair removal cream if anyone on here knows what that smells like. Anyhow I'm pretty sure inwas told a few minors ago that jack oil was the stuff to use in these ? Which doesn't have the pong the car was previously " cared for " by the village mechanic when with its previous owner and judging by the state certain parts of the car were in I wouldn't be overly shocked if he'd just topped them up with whatever. Opinions please.

[simmitc]

Lound bangs or knocks are not normal and should be investigated. Check that the bump stop is in place under the wing. Check that damperer mounting bolts are secure. Check all bushes, the tie bar mountings, and the chassis leg. When you're happy with one side, then check the other, and the back - it's amazing how often a noise that appears to originate in one place is really coming from somewhere else.

The damper fluid sounds about right. You should not remove the complete lids off, just undo the crew plug in the centre to check the fluid level. They will benefit from draining and refilling with fresh fluid - see instructions in the manual.

[trabant]

Obviously I've checked everything else first hence my suspicion of the shocker I'm planning on taking them both off next week stripping and rebuilding them id just like to know what to fill them back up with .

[panky]

They originally had SAE 20 equivalent in them but over time the oil degrades and start to stink and go thin as water. Far better to re-fill with SAE40 to improve the damping effect, it makes a LOT of difference. Do the rears too.

[trabant]

Grand as owt many thanks

[panky]

Remember straight 40 not a multigrade

[bmcecosse]

And unless you have specialist equipment you will NOT be able to 'recondition' them - so don't bother taking them off.... As above - MOST important to check the bump stops and the rebound stops are present and correct. Also - is the car sitting at the correct ride height - both sides the same ? Again at the back - drain the dampers (not 'shocks') and refill with SAE 40 (not Jack oil) - and again check the ride height - and are the bump stops present ? You can safely cut 1" off the rear bump stops to give a more supple ride.