MG
The Classic Marque

As Dave B says, he got the arms off my dampers but we now know you don't need to do that. I put a Speedi-Sleeve on one of them, with a lipseal, and so far no more leaks. I had to get the arms really hot to get them back on. And the dampers in the freezer.

I use synthetic motor bike fork oil, principally because it's more heat stable than mineral oil. Damping becomes softer when the dampers warm up
Also it's quite easy to adjust the damp rates too. Two adjustments, one for bump, and one for rebound!!

Bill B,

That was a mistake in hindsight letting them go as they likely increased the value of the car considerably to someone that knew what they were.

I'm reminded of a guy I know that's involved with Lotus Cortina racing and he bought a pair of them and spares and as he was leaving the guy threw in a couple of telescopic dampers that had been lying around outside for awhile. Th...

Ah right Guy. I misunderstood. I thought you ran the stp mix for longer than that.


Willy, are there any rough guide figures for weights and times to hang on damper arms, applicable to Spridgets? That'd be pretty useful I reckon.

Anam, My STP /oil mix was a temporary experiment. I did a couple of track days and the instructor on one was impressed at how :flat' it cornered. I probably left the mix in for about 6 months of regular road use before a drain and refill. I then just used normal 20/50 engine oil.

I also filled both diesel moderns about 10 days ago (just under £1.40/litre) so will be on "cheaper" diesel for a while. About 20p/litre more currently.

an. as you say thick oil isn't really much good for these shocks. I believe the spec is as you say 20 wt mineral oil but most here use 30 weight fork oil from motorcycle shops. The trouble with thick oil is that if you hit that big bump the shocker can't vent the oil quick enough and you risk damaging the shock or stub axle. The thick oil stiffens both compression and rebound---you don't want st...

The mk3 Sprite I had in the 70s had electrically adjustable rear shocks. I should have removed them and kept them for the Frog.....

I'm still surprised the shock arms are only held in place by "dented" or staked sleeves. No wonder they sometimes come loose.....

I think Peter Caldwell makes Delrin inserts for the shaft entry in case of leaks (although ISTR him stating they will leak ...

Yep David, I read about those in an Armstrong catalogue I downloaded. Pretty advanced for the times.

I copied this from Anamnessis other trhead on his Armstrong shocker