front shock absorber
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
front shock absorber
Quick question, can a front righthand shock absorber be fitted to the other side by swapping the arm over? Either by removing it and putting it back on rotated 180 degrees or swapping the arm completely for one from the correct side.
ta
ta
Re: front shock absorber
I like the idea, but on the left hand one, the upward stroke will rotate the shaft anti-clockwise, whereas on the right hand one the shaft will rotate clockwise; so my gut reaction is that they cannot be swapped, quite apart from the difference in shape. So much for gut reaction, I'm going to have to find the drawing for the damper and see what the internals actually do; and I am open to other points of view.
- geoberni
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3613
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
- Location: North Leicestershire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: front shock absorber
My engineering opinion, without looking at the internals, is no they can't.
Although we are talking the engineering of a bygone era in many ways, I'm sure that even back then, if it was practical to use common components, the manufacturer would. Manufacturing costs mattered so why would Armstrong go to the expense of handed castings?
If you compare a LH and RH front Damper, the body casings are handed.
It wouldn't matter to Armstrong, or Morris, that the Bottom Plug pointed at the wing on one side of the vehicle and the opposite way on the other side. Neither company would envisage an engineer requiring access to the plug in-situ.
Although we are talking the engineering of a bygone era in many ways, I'm sure that even back then, if it was practical to use common components, the manufacturer would. Manufacturing costs mattered so why would Armstrong go to the expense of handed castings?
If you compare a LH and RH front Damper, the body casings are handed.
It wouldn't matter to Armstrong, or Morris, that the Bottom Plug pointed at the wing on one side of the vehicle and the opposite way on the other side. Neither company would envisage an engineer requiring access to the plug in-situ.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: front shock absorber
thanks chaps - obvious really when you look at the pic above, different castings so the valve will operate differently!
cheers
cheers
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:18 pm
- Location: Manchester ( Damp and Miserable ) and that's just the wife...
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: front shock absorber
simmitc wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 9:15 am I like the idea, but on the left hand one, the upward stroke will rotate the shaft anti-clockwise, whereas on the right hand one the shaft will rotate clockwise; so my gut reaction is that they cannot be swapped, quite apart from the difference in shape. So much for gut reaction, I'm going to have to find the drawing for the damper and see what the internals actually do; and I am open to other points of view.
John ;-)
Re: front shock absorber
The damper operating principal consists of dual pistons connected to a common rocker arm (the lever). It does not matter which way round they are fitted provided the levers are symmetrical and fitted accordingly.
- Attachments
-
- Armstrong Damper.JPG (26.16 KiB) Viewed 8727 times
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:18 pm
- Location: Manchester ( Damp and Miserable ) and that's just the wife...
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: front shock absorber
... until one takes the valve into consideration.. ( bump and rebound reversed? )
John ;-)
-
- Minor Addict
- Posts: 680
- Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 1:56 pm
- Location: Pontypridd
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: front shock absorber
Look at that.Dont you just love a bit of engineering.Facinates me anyway.
-
- Minor Addict
- Posts: 613
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:40 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania, USA
- MMOC Member: No
Re: front shock absorber
It's possible that the pistons are different. The drawing shows some extra features on the right piston. There has to be a check valve or something on one of the pistons to allow oil to fill the working chamber.
Re: front shock absorber
How they work
- Attachments
-
- How Armstrong Dampers Work-0002.png (148.44 KiB) Viewed 8633 times
-
- How Armstrong Dampers Work-0001.png (671.71 KiB) Viewed 8633 times
-
- Minor Addict
- Posts: 680
- Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 1:56 pm
- Location: Pontypridd
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: front shock absorber
Many thanks.
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:18 pm
- Location: Manchester ( Damp and Miserable ) and that's just the wife...
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: front shock absorber
Nice one...
John ;-)
John ;-)