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Old 07-05-2018, 07:19 PM   #1
Al 29Tudor
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Default shock effectiveness

I removed both rear shocks to refill them and change the "O" rings.
After assembling the first one, adding oil and putting the arm on I give it a few test swings.
It doesn't seem to have very much resistance even though the adjusting screw makes some difference.
I can't imagine it has enough resistance to be very effective on the car.
Should it be very hard to swing or should it swing with very little resistance?
Thank you for any comments on your experience,
Al
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:05 PM   #2
daveymc29
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

My experience is with rebuilt shocks, not new ones. On mine it took considerable strength to move the arms from one extreme to the other, It seems to me that it took more to push the arm one way than it did the other. I think that was to make the rebound a bit stronger. I found that in the three sets of rebuilt's I bought none lasted more than a couple of months until they were all leaking. They were from a well recognized rebuilder that has passed away recently, if that makes any difference. Back 20 years ago I had a set that leaked from the time they were received from another rebuilder but they didn't seem to lose their shock absorbing ability until several months had passes and I just refilled them occasionally and they did last for several years. The ones I have now are still leaking and seem to be absorbing a bit of the bumps as I drive. I don't know anything about the new ones on the market. Must be better than tubes, but not sure. Would like to hear of some that actually work and have a good life expectancy. Tube or the original style. I may try the MGA Rears, they were good new and years ago I rebuilt several for people and never heard complaints. Good luck.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:51 PM   #3
Al 29Tudor
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

Thank you.
You answered my question - they should be hard to move and harder in one direction.
Using thicker oil may make mine more effective.
I've experienced the same as far as leaking so I am trying a thread sealer to stop the leaks.
Thanks again.
Al
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:02 PM   #4
Kevin in NJ
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al 29Tudor View Post
Thank you.
You answered my question - they should be hard to move and harder in one direction.
Using thicker oil may make mine more effective.
I've experienced the same as far as leaking so I am trying a thread sealer to stop the leaks.
Thanks again.
Al
No, they should not be hard to move.

Based on my experience with a tool similar to the KRW tool (please reference the service bulletins) conventional advice is not correct.

I would say they should be very hard to move with the orignal arm.

Let me finish by saying I have done a couple of sets of shocks and got them hard to turn and found they settled the car. Basically you are able to run over about 25 MPH without the fear of the car going off the road. Well to be more to my liking, you can comfortably run 60 MPH.
So a fairly stiff shock, such as yours, may do the job. You might want to try a thicker oil to see if that has an effect.

When I built up a shock that I thought was close to good I guesstimated the KRW tool. I found the arm dropped way too fast compared to what the spec was in the bulletins. So I was forced to change my thoughts on the subject. Later I obtained the actual specs for the tool and found I was pretty close to the KRW tool to know my findings held.

Part of what I found is that fairly tight shocks with a very slight amount of wear would be much looser then I would like. I found that a shock eveny just slightly more worn to be much looser. Any shock with light pitting but tight would not work at all. Based on this I decided I needed to find thicker oils and to continue my experiments. I have not gotten back to my experiments.

Hope that gives some perspective.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:05 PM   #5
Lawrie
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

Do a search on the shocks,some where I posted a houdial (spelling not correct) rebuild manual
That tells the force required on both compression and rebound,plus how to rebuild them.
Lawrie
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:08 PM   #6
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

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Old 07-05-2018, 11:00 PM   #7
Hoogah
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lawrie View Post
Do a search on the shocks,some where I posted a houdial (spelling not correct) rebuild manual
That tells the force required on both compression and rebound,plus how to rebuild them.
Lawrie
I think this is what Lawrie meant.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf RebuildingHoudailleShocks.pdf (300.0 KB, 56 views)
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:12 PM   #8
Kahuna
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

Daveymc29
I have the MGB rear shocks on the front of 32 Model B.
In my opinion they are excellent. I found a company
on the Internet that rebuilds them to your specs.
I gave them my approximate (guesstimate) front end
weight & they built them accordingly.
I like them as they seem close to original in appearance
and do a great job. Cost was about $200.00 for the pair.
I've had them on for about 9 years with no leaks, etc.
Just my experience
Jim
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:33 AM   #9
Al 29Tudor
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Default Re: shock effectiveness

Thanks Gent's for your input / help.
The check balls are in place and everything is clean. The only thing that can't be changed is anything that is warn so I'm in search of heavier oil I think will help.
Al
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