Dan,
Yes, there should be resistance to movement of the damper arm. That's
the "damping" action that they are supposed to provide. While it might
possibly be that the unrestricted movement is due to absence of fluid in
the damper and that filling with fluid would make the damper work
properly, it's likely that there is internal damage if there is no fluid
to provide lubrication for the moving parts.
The July/August issue of MGB Driver has a four page article about the
lever dampers, by Mark Childers, Tidewater MG Club. Among other topics,
he writes of his preferred fluids and how to purge air.
Bob
On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 23:29:24 -0500 "RD Williford"
<dan_mgs@verizonmail.com> writes:
> Noticed during the attempted front suspension rebuild that neither
> front lever arm exhibits any resistance along its travel...
>
> Shouldn't I at least be required to put some effort into upward and
> downward movement of the shock A-arm? If none is evident, should I
> consider the shocks bad and replace? Or is simply topping off with
> the appropriate fluid advised (and just exactly what is the
> appropriate fluid?)
>
> My last B had tube conversions all around, so am unfamiliar with the
> intricacies of lever arm dampers...
>
> Thanks-
> Dan
> 71 BGT
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