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Front Shocks ?

Last post 11-07-2011, 5:06 PM by yearslatter. 4 replies.
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  •  09-20-2011, 7:09 PM 26093

    Front Shocks ?

    I have a 79 midget that has a squeak when the front end is bounced up and down.  Front end has grease , is tight and car handles fine.  Noise seems to come from the lever shocks - or so it would appear. Some folks say that the shock should be taken out of the car and a 6 screw plate removed and fluid added if needed.  Others say that there is a add point on top of the unit.  Mine seems to have a pressure valve on top and the question is are these two references one in the same ?  There does not seem to be any obvious leak from the shocks but they are 32 years old. Since the replace part process is rather expensive for this I would rather make sure the shock is really bad before going that route , especially for a squeak.  Anyone had a similiar situation and a fix they have encountered or any suggestions on the shock situation ?  Thanks............... 
  •  09-21-2011, 12:49 PM 26097 in reply to 26093

    Re: Front Shocks ?

    The squeek is more likely coming from the upper trunion bushing area, a rubber bushing with a bolt running through it. They tend to squeek when the rubber gets dry and brittle and not lubricated. Shocks are generally pretty long life items, and if they are dry and squeeking you might well need to replace them anyway as they can wear the seal and bore rapidly if not lubricated. Refilling is pretty easy and doesn't require removing the end plate, just remove the hex nut on the side of the round chamber and filling with shock oil or 20w hydraulic fluid until it just runs out the hole. If you have to add more than a couple of ounces then expect leakage once it's full and get ready for a shock replacment. Replacing the shocks isn't that difficult though and you can get two good rebuilt units for a bit less than $300 from Moss or World Wide Auto Parts. These are rebuilt by Peter Caldwell and are actually better than new after he gets through with them. I'd start with replacing the upper trunion bushings and inspect the lower A frame inner bushings carefully before replacing shocks though. Try squirting a bit of silicone lubricant on the bushings and see if the squeek goes away.
    '73 Midget (V6)
    '59 MGA (I6) under construction
    '73 Lotus Europa
    '52 MG TD kit car body project.
    '98 Jag XK8

    "There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
  •  09-23-2011, 7:20 AM 26107 in reply to 26097

    Re: Front Shocks ?

    Bill, Thanks.  Sounds like good advice and you gave me a couple of easy places to check.   Funny this little car is just like its owner- Old , dry and brittle - at least that's what my wife says.
  •  11-04-2011, 11:51 AM 26247 in reply to 26107

    Re: Front Shocks ?

    O.K. another question.  While I did replace the top bushings that did not make the car as quiet as I wanted.  So that lead me to the wishbone bushings which were indeed in poor shape. Have the new poly bushings ready to install and have removed the old metal insert from the worn units and placed them into the new bushings. Having done so it does not appear that these can be reinstalled properly.  I have tried to " train " the new bushings using a clamp but even at that they do not seem to want to seat very well.  I suspect that the new bushings do not require the metal insert which increases the size of the bush.  Am I correct or just not using enough determination to put the system back together as I took it apart.  I also see there is no reference for a part to replace the old ones ( Metal piece ) so I assume that now it is not needed ? Thanks in advance !!!!!
  •  11-07-2011, 5:06 PM 26257 in reply to 26247

    Re: Front Shocks ?

    Just for info.... While I should have figured this out on my own.  The metal inserts are not used in the poly bushings. What comes in the package is what is used in the install process.   Sometimes I get carried away with " The way it came apart , is the way it should go back together ".