Leaking front dampers

[mattinhertford]

Hi all,

Both my front dampers are leaking the damper oil, and after some investigation this afternoon it appears to be from the 'arm' bit, for want of a better description. I topped up both dampers this afternoon and one started dripping straight away. That was the one that took most to refil which makes me think if left alone it will all but drain empty if not fixed.

[frame][/frame]

Can i fix this myself? (And how pls?) I've read up a few bits on front dampers but nothing seems to detail how to fix a leaky one?

many thanks

Matt

[panky]

There is a method of repairing them at home pioneered by member Trickydicky but it quite involved and requires a bit id machining with a router.

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... ir#p510953

I imagine the method could be adapted for front dampers - alternatively you could look for some good used replacements

[mike.perry]

Replace them, they are probably knackered

[Trickydicky]

The fronts can be repaired, Declan Burns wrote a detailed topic regarding this but if you don't have access to a machine shop it is as Mike and Panky say it is easier to replace them.
I have thought about trying to modify my method of repairing the rears for the fronts but due to the position of the rear seal cap, there is not enough room between the bulkhead of the car and the rear of the damper to make a plate to reseal the damper.

[bmcecosse]

Just go for exchange units.

[mattinhertford]

Thanks all, exchange units does seem to be the way to go. And SAE40 oil of course

[bmcecosse]

Some exchange units are better than others.......maybe folks could make recommendations where they have had success - or otherwise.......

[Trickydicky]

Here are a pair on eBay, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... 5666f9fafd

[minor65]

The front shocks were leaking on my 61 a few months ago. I got reconditioned units from ESM, which so far have no issues. They are exchange units so the postage to return my old units was £16 from northern Ireland to east sussex, so bear the return postage charge in mind. But the postage charge of the new units was free.

[M25VAN]

ESM sell new and uprated rear units. Might be worth asking if they do front ones as well to take out the lottery of how well recon ones have been refurbed.

[Declan_Burns]

According to the ESM website the new units are no longer available-only the reconditioned ones.
I could provide the plugs for home repair of the front and rear dampers.

Regards
Declan

[katy]

I bought front and rear exchange units from Bull Motif, no problems w/them.
I didn't send the old ones back as the postage would have been more than I would have gotten back from Bully.

[M25VAN]

According to the ESM website the new units are no longer available-only the reconditioned ones.

ESM website just let me add one to basket Declan. I didn't see any message about notifying me when available.
I wonder if anyone has bought these in the past and how they have got on with them.