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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Recon Exchange Shocks - A Warning

You might remember a thread a month or so back where I was looking at the valves in my rear shocks with the view to altering the damping characteristics.

When I disassembled the shocks I found the valves and springs in the two rear shocks were noticeably different, therefore giving different damping characteristics side to side.

I am in the process now of looking at the front shocks. Again, having taken the valves/springs out they are different on each side too.

So in short I have had a different spec shock on each corner!

All four were replaced as recon exchange from one of the big suppliers. It's probably been four/five years since I bought them so I have no intention of pursuing the supplier, but I wanted to let people know of this quality issue. Especially as it isn't possible to tell without dismantling the shock.

As I am sure others have said before, these recon units look appealing as they are cheap, but they are not worth it if you really care about the proper maintenance of your vehicle.

As a result of this I am working on a kit for people to DIY refurbish their shocks properly.

All the best,
Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Received a compliant about wishbones. Apparently from main supplier the trunnion is welded and not brazed but not sitting vertical.
Something to look out for.
Alan
Alan Anstead

One possible reason for mismatched valves in front dampers is that essentially the same item was fitted to a range of cars - A30, A35, A40 & Spridget.

I can't say for certain, but I would imagine that valving would be different, considering the different type of cars with differing spring rates.

Some of these dampers have been in the reconditioning loop for over 60 years, so there is no telling which cars they originally came from.
Dave O'Neill 2

Malcolm, I might have a couple of front ones knocking around if you want some seed stock for your new enterprise.
Could be a nice little earner😀

Best of....
MGmike
M McAndrew

Thanks Mike! :-)
Malcolm Le Chevalier

We had a "rebuilt" midget gearbox from a rather large club, the midget eat it quite quickly and it was a minor box.

Alan - can you supply good/ perfect wishbones?
David k Brenchley

David
I have highlighted problems with wishbones before. Unfortunately I dont know of a source of good ones. The last complaint I received was from a Masc rep a couple of weeks ago.
Alan

Alan Anstead

This thread was discussed between 15/02/2017 and 17/02/2017

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