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Oil for lever arm shocks
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Dobbin



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 67
Location: Central Scotland

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:19 pm    Post subject: Oil for lever arm shocks Reply with quote

I'm going to check the levels in the lever arms shocks on my 103E and was wondering what the best oil to use to top them up (at present I don't know what's in them so I making an assumption, I know I shouldn't that it is correct). I've read that the original specified oil M100502C (taken from the workshop manual) is an SAE20 spec oil of which there are two types. Type 1 for every day use and type 2 for firmer suspension more suited to competition. There's no chance my car will require that!
I've had a look around and I believe this is the same as a motorbike shocker oil, is this correct? What oil do you use and where have you found the best place to get it(brand, supplier). Oh one last question as I forgot to look the manual before posting this, what is the capacity of each shocker,

Thanks
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Phil - Nottingham



Joined: 01 Jan 2008
Posts: 1252
Location: Nottingham

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I put in my P2 Rover Jack hydraulic OIL or motor cycle shock absorber oil - if you want something thinner I suppose some of the light modern car mineral oils can be used
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goneps



Joined: 18 Jun 2013
Posts: 601
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Phil - Nottingham wrote:
if you want something thinner I suppose some of the light modern car mineral oils can be used


If you mean engine oil, then I beg to differ. Engine oil is not suitable for hydraulic applications because it lacks essential anti-foaming agents.

Both Penrite and Millers have 'shock absorber' oil in various grades. Failing that, motorcycle fork oil is quite satisfactory.

Richard
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47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Penrite do two different oils which is made specifically for Armstrong lever arm shock absorbers
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Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1750
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 2:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use motorcycle fork oil from Halfords in my car's dampers.
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BigJohn



Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Location: Wem, Shropshire

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I had my Phase 2 Vanguard I was at a garage where an old mechanic came out and told me he worked on them as an apprentice at a Standard agent. Regarding the hard use by farmers towing trailers he said the rear dampers started on shock oil, then ep90, then straight cut ep140, then they fitted grease nipples....
Possibly not the factory recommendations.
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Dobbin



Joined: 15 May 2013
Posts: 67
Location: Central Scotland

PostPosted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I managed to get the Penrite shockoil last Friday from Oilrite in Carluke.
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stevel98



Joined: 04 Apr 2014
Posts: 74

PostPosted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Oil for lever arm shocks Reply with quote

Dobbin wrote:
I'm going to check the levels in the lever arms shocks on my 103E and was wondering what the best oil to use to top them up (at present I don't know what's in them so I making an assumption, I know I shouldn't that it is correct). I've read that the original specified oil M100502C (taken from the workshop manual) is an SAE20 spec oil of which there are two types. Type 1 for every day use and type 2 for firmer suspension more suited to competition. There's no chance my car will require that!
I've had a look around and I believe this is the same as a motorbike shocker oil, is this correct? What oil do you use and where have you found the best place to get it(brand, supplier). Oh one last question as I forgot to look the manual before posting this, what is the capacity of each shocker,

Thanks


Do they need topped up? If so might be the seals at fault. Why not swap them for recon ones?
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