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how to get the air out of rear shocks
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:19 pm
by Onne
How DO I get the air out of them? I have filled them with the proper oil, one of them is in good absorbing condition, the other isn't.
Onne
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:25 pm
by minor_hickup
Have you tried moving the arm up and down? To get the air out of my front dampers I rocked the car up and down.
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:59 pm
by Onne
Yes I have. maybe it's dead
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:55 pm
by minor_hickup
how about just leaving it upright for a while, it may take a fair while for a bubble of air to move through oil
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:06 pm
by Onne
I'll give it a month
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:12 pm
by minor_hickup
jeez, it only took 3 minutes for me? still if youre going to do a job ...
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:52 pm
by Onne
I am sure they won't be on the car for another 2 to 3 months
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:28 am
by Peetee
When I refilled my rear shocks with thicker oil I just ran the car for a couple of miles and topped up after. In that time initially the shocks were dire then they firmed up and then firmed up again after the top up. I think that would work as long as you don't have any large bumps or potholes close to home that would cause maximum rebound and mix the oil and air up again!

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:52 am
by minor_hickup
By leaving it for a month do you mean with the bolt on the top removed? If so be careful because the workshop manual stresses that it is vital that no foreign matter enters the damper.
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:27 pm
by Onne
Well, I'll try the bouncing up and down way then. With the tops on!
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:04 pm
by bmcecosse
But Onne is in foreign parts - so 'foreign matter' is highly likely!
Just work it up and down full stroke until the oil gets expelled. If you have access to a vacuum box - then they can be put in that (top plug off) and the vacuum pulled - this gets the air out very nicely. But after initial priming - regular topping up for a week or two of running will be necessary.
Did you have the little valve out at the base ? If so - any chance you lost the little valve stem and/or spring ?
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:45 pm
by Onne
I did remove the bottom screw, but I have all the bits. Now you mention it, maybe it's upside down
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:50 pm
by bmcecosse
Compare with the other one !
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:16 pm
by Onne
I will. But I'll just turn the bad one upside down first. If that helps I have solved the problem