Morris Minor Owners Club

Afternoon all.
A pal of mine is rebuilding a traveller, his only criticism is the rear suspension seems a bit sharp.
I recall a long time ago someone suggesting engine oil helped smooth out the bumps, but I wondered if anyone had tried this or any other oil to give a smoother ride please?
Thanks.

Well I guess the real question is what has he done already?
Has he checked the dampers are working correct oil levels etc.
Has he tried draining and refilling the oil, unless he knows what age it is?
What does he mean by 'sharp'?
Too firm/hard, so not damping enough?
The workshop manual does give some simple info, such as erratic or free movement indicates low oil level or air in the damper mechanism, whilst too much resistance to arm movement indicates an internal failure.
I would suggest such checks before considering alternative oils.

All the parts of the rear suspension need to be considered, not just the dampers. By "sharp" does he mean nasty jolts as the car hits the bump stops? I had that on my convertible. My springs were worn out and had lost their curve and the dampers were leaking and next to useless as well. The rear dampers are daft that they have to be removed to check the level and top up so they never get checked. If there are signs they are leaking just change them for reconditioned units. There's no point doing the work of taking them off and refilling them if they are clearly leaking already. If you search old threads, yes some people especially I think Roy (BMCEcosse) advocated using a slightly heavier oil in the dampers. Not engine oil, single weight oil but heavier. Comma Jack Oil is ISO 32 and a bit heavier than the original oil used in the dampers I think or there are specialist Damper Oils available in different weights (e.g made by Penrite, Dynolite, Millers etc).

Stephen

I ran my original Armstrong rear lever dampers on straight 30 grade engine oil for years and I never had any problems.
As I now have SPAX dampers on the front and the Armstrong dampers are only used as the top link I fill them with Putoline HPX 15 synthetic racing suspension fluid.
The rear dampers are now gas filled non adjustable so no problems there.
The Putoline suspension fluid is available in various grades from light to heavy.
As regards the cost and ease of replacing the Armstrong dampers you may be better to remove the Armstrong lever dampers, examine them and if not serviceable fit a ESM tele damper kit.