Practically Classics Forum

Hello everybody
Does anybody know if lever arm shock absorbers can become innefective even if they are not loosing any fluid? the ride on my anglia105e has started to become quite harsh over bumps especially at the rear I checked the fluid and it was okand there was no sign of a leak,I also have a consul classic with the same set up and the lever arms both leak over the course of about six months from the arm pivot at the side, when the ride starts to get harsh I take them off and top them up whilst pumping them and when I put them back on the ride is fine.With regards to the rest of the anglia rear suspension the springs look fine and don't appear to have gone flat and the bushes seem ok too. I look forward to your thoughts .

Cheers Keith.

Can't comment on lever-arm shocks but leaf srpings can become very harsh if the leaves have become corroded and fused together (at worst) or become notched, preventing each leaf from acting independantly and instead behaving like a single lump of metal. Occasional application of graphite based lubricant will restore suppleness. Applies only to multi-leaf springs of course.

Maybe it's not a spring/shocker related issue - I was running old tyres on my MGB and they had become rock hard over the years. I realised this when the MOT inspector pointed it out and although not a failure item, I replaced the 25 plus year old Pirellis with new Dunlop Sports and the ride improvement was dramatic.
It was like driving a different car, the roadholding was transformed wth much better grip but the ride comfort was the most improved aspect - where road irregularities and potholes had previously been spine jarring, the new rubber makes the old girl almost limo like by comparison

Yes I thought about the tyre thing myself, I had an anglia back in the 90's which was fitted with crossplys ( as God intended ) but as soon as I renewed the tyres for radials the steering got heavier,road noise got louder and the whole driving experience changed,anyway the tyres on my car were new in 2007 so they shouldn't have gone off yet. I still am leaning towards the shocks .

I couldnt find anyone to rebuild my lever arms so had to move to telescopics