Armstrong Lever Shocks

In this episode I discuss how to maintain the shocks you have and suggest a good alternative. For the shocks that I mention, see this site
http://www.mailbag.com/users/nosimport/

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• mg
• midget
• 1971
• british
• sports
• car
• CMGC
• chicacgoland
• club
• YTMGCC
• 1275cc
• roadster
• armstrong
• lever
• shocks

[ezetobebad]

Thanks for the info Jones, I run an MCW metrocab in the UK. The front lever shocks (reconditioned) need replacing every 6 months or so(about5-10k miles). Are there any other know issues that are resolvable with these shocks? thanks eze

[JonessGarage]

well first of all you need to remember that they do need to be refilled. Now in most other MGs it may be possible to completely refill them on a regular basis without removing them, however with the spridget, I have never been able to do so. It may be that you need to top em up periodically to keep them from going dry. You can use any 20 wt oil in a pinch, but harley fork oil or hydrolic jack oil is best.

[JonessGarage]

Alternately you could try to buy from world wide auto parts in madison wisconsin. The exchange rate works nicely in your favor here. Each shock is about $80 american. This video was posted a year ago and back then the WWAP rebuilt shocks were about a year old when the vid was made. Only recently have I nocticed that they are acting like they are dry and need a refil.

[sandiegoharleyguy]

So to fill the front shocks I DON'T have to remove them?

[JonessGarage]

well Mowog2 seems to have the solution. I tried sqirting it in there but it didnt seem to fill that well. the best solution is still to go with world wide imports rebuilt ones

[ezetobebad]

So the WWAP rebuilt shocks are still prone to leakage, despite a modification to prevent the bearing seepage?

[JonessGarage]

I tried refilling the shocks recently by removing the valve plug and filling it there while bouncing the car. It worked well for a few days but it didnt seem to fix much. The spacers that is wrapped around the steering rack that goes between the rack and the mounts degraded and fell out so the rack is very loose and this seems to make the car unstable at high speeds. I am also suspecting that the king pin bushings need replacement. Do I really need the $400 moss reamer?

[iowancamera]

Use tubing to an oil container to fill the shocks while installed on the car. My old shocks leaked out over night and I could fill them in a couple of minutes with a 13mm wrench (whitworth size is goofy.)

I bought shocks from Peter C in Wisconsin and all is good.

[Mowog2]

Right, that little hex plug at on the front of the top of the shock body is the filler plug. You need to use a syringe and tube, or a little squeeze bottle, and inject oil until it runs over. For the rear, the plugs are located toward the top of each shock, on the inner faces just inside the lever arm.

[JonessGarage]

yeah I know. It will be nice someday. Problem is my dad insists on storing his woodorking gear in there and then I store some of my stuff in there and my girlfriend does that too. I keep my tools in tool boxes and no I dont have all the answers, but if I dont have the answer to a specific question i will ask my friends in the mg club and come back with answer.