Author Topic: Filling the front dampers with oil for the first time  (Read 3190 times)

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impaw

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Filling the front dampers with oil for the first time
« on: 23 November, 2021, 02:51:06 PM »
My front suspension was overhauled a couple of years ago.
Last week I finally lowered my car to the ground for the first time in many many years.
So, I want to fill the front dampers with oil.
Is there any specific procedure for filling the dampers? Is there an air bleed on the top of the dampers?

My oil reservoir is also freshly overhauled, so looking forward to seing the plunger in action  ;D

baby steps
Torstein

1955 Aurelia B20
1966 Fulvia
1966 Fulvia rally/race car

impaw

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Re: Filling the front dampers with oil for the first time
« Reply #1 on: 24 November, 2021, 05:03:47 PM »
things seem to be working correctly:

https://youtu.be/wW2caedMYhI

however, new questions arise:)

1.how are the tubes routed originally?
2.how do I know when the dampers are topped up? Will the plunger simply cease to move?
3.what kind of tubes are used originally?  I used clear PVC tubes now, so I could see the plunger working properly.
Torstein

1955 Aurelia B20
1966 Fulvia
1966 Fulvia rally/race car

Brian Long

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  • Aurelia B12, Flavia 2000 Coupe
Re: Filling the front dampers with oil for the first time
« Reply #2 on: 14 December, 2021, 03:46:01 AM »
On my B12(RHD) the RHS tube goes through the inner mudguard about 10 cm forward of the reservoir.
The LHS  tube drops down under the cover over the wiring loom and emerges from there and goes around under the bodywork supporting the bonnet latch, etc. It then emerges and goes through a hole in the LHS inner mudguard.
The instruction plate on the reservoir says to add oil 'when the suspension is noisy'! The suspension will pump oil out if it is overfilled and make a mass on the strut and potentially drip onto your tyres when left stationary for any length of time. I would add e.g. one plunger-full at a time until you can ascertain that the shock absorbers are functioning correctly. You will probably need to run the car on the road so that any air will be pumped out by the action of the absorber (damper)The plunger will not stop and will overfill the shock absorber if you continue to use it. The driver's manual states 0.26 litre of SAE 20 but I think that is the reservoir capacity. The damper knob needs to be unwound to facilitate filling.
Don't forget to fill the lower reservoir on the strut either.
Tubes were black, oil resistant.
Finally, leave the selector in the mid-way position in case of any leakage through it into a strut.

impaw

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Re: Filling the front dampers with oil for the first time
« Reply #3 on: 14 December, 2021, 05:51:23 AM »
Thank you Brian!
That’s very good info.
The car sits tall without its engine, and won’t see use in a couple of years.
I will monitor the levels when I get it on the road.
As of now the suspension is quite noisy  when I give the car a downwards push, I guess there is still air in the damper.

Thank you again!
Torstein

1955 Aurelia B20
1966 Fulvia
1966 Fulvia rally/race car