spridgets
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Shock absorber fluid?

To: spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: Re: Shock absorber fluid?
From: Jeff Boatright <jboatri@emory.edu>
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 22:21:46 -0500 (EST)
In-reply-to: <19981216211943.6802.qmail@hotmail.com>
Reply-to: Jeff Boatright <jboatri@emory.edu>
Sender: owner-spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
According to Valvoline, it's more than a rumor. They tesed their own
product and specifically told me not to use their gear oil or anybody
else's in our trannies. As you wrote, it attacks the soft, yellow mtales
used in Brit synchros.

---
On 12/16/98, Peter Samaroo wrote:
>Justin,
>      The fuild in the shocks can be refilled using 20wt motorcycle
>shock oil. Do not use 90wt oil or you will probably bust the shock
>bodies in no time. As for the gear box in an A-series ribcase, motor oil
>is fine 20w-50 or a synthetic 5w-50 or 15w-50 etc. do not use gear oil
>as it will cause stiff shifting in cold weather and it is rumoured to
>attack yellow metal like that used for the syncros.
>As far as replacing the front shocks it is a relatively easy job. Jack
>up the car and place it on jack stands, then put the jack under the
>A-frame and compress the spring but do not lift the car off the
>jackstands. Remove the front wheel, remove the pinch bolt and upper
>trunnion bolt, remove the three bolts holding the shock in place and
>remove the shock. Put the new shock in place replace the three bolts and
>torque to 40 Ft.lbs. Replace the upper trunnion bolt (you might want to
>use new bushings) replace the wheel and let the car down.
>Oh! make sure you have the upper trunnion in the right way around or
>your tire will look pretty silly with about 20 degrees of camber (Don't
>ask me how I know I just do)
>Regards,
>Peter S.
>
>>From: Justin Cook <justincook@yahoo.com>
>>
>>Just what is this "shock absorber fluid"?  I assume it comes from the
>>same place as "turn signal fluid."  Can I put 90 weight oil in these
>>shocks or what?
>>
>>Also any advice on replacing the front shocks?  I just ordered a
>>rebuilt pair from the BPC, and I'm not looking forward to putting them
>>on.
>>
>>While on the subject of fluids, my haynes manual says to put 50 weight
>>motor oil in the gearbox.  Any reason I shouldn't put gear oil in the
>>gearbox (90 weight).
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Justin
>>66(?) Sprite
>>
>>
>>


Jeffrey H. Boatright, PhD
Senior Editor, Molecular Vision
http://www.emory.edu/molvis
"Seeing the Future in a Very Tiny Way"



<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>