MGB & GT Forum

I have just changed the valves in my front shocks on my B, I lost a very small amount of oil and wondered what is an acceptable oil to add? I rebuilt these shocks 4-5 years ago and replaced the oil with the shock oil from Moss but I have non left. Didn't really want to order another bottle or have to wait for it.
Any suggestions?

Motorcycle fork oil is the most appropriate, otherwise any hydraulic fluid in approximately 15-20W with anti-foaming properties will do the job.

Jack Oil... with anti foam

Wal-Mart in the oil aisle near the jack stands.

Has anti-foaming agents, and rust inhibitors.

works

cheap

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Michael J. Caputo
'79, '77, '76, '74.5 (rubber dual SU), and '73 owner. Extensive experience in 12v Audio System design and installation. Vendor of Regalia and Promotional Products since 1993. Supplier of Accessories to MOSS. Forum Member since 2009; with a warped sense of humor since birth. Publisher of the annual MGB & GT Calendar, mailed worldwide.

Cool, thanks for the help.

Roger

We could start the old discussion again.
I'm still using medical grade mineral oil.

OK, being new here...medical grade mineral oil? Obviously I have missed out on something you guys have talked about in the past.

Curious, does anyone know what the weight of the Jack oil is or how it compares to the 15/20?

Bob

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63' AH Sprite - Project waiting it's turn.
67; Morris Minor - Full Restoration in Progress
68' MGB GT - Driver
72' E Type 2+2 - Driver
86' XJ6 VDP - Driver

LOL! Some of us have used mineral oil from the drug store for forever since the manual states that you are supposed to use mineral oil for the shock. Others contend that there is no consistency in the term "mineral oil".
I know that it works so stick with it, and know that motorcycle fork oil has ingredients that swell seals, and don't want that crap in my shocks.

Uh Chris, there are no seals to worry about swelling in your shock. If you do manage to swell the packing material doing the sealing, it would probably be beneficial. And by the way, brake fluid (some of which is also mineral oil) has seal swelling agents in it. What do you run in your brakes so you don't have to use that crap?

Mineral oil is a generic term for hundreds of types of oil, from the kind you can drink to the kind that will kill you in small quantities. It's like saying "Get a 4 wheel drive vehicle for your trip". Does that mean a Subaru wagon or a Hummer? The reason there are so many types of oils is that they are made for specific purposes. Use the appropriate type for your application and you will have nothing to worry about. The problem with running the wrong type of fluid is that most people would have no idea if their shocks were functioning properly anyway! Therefore you can run Coca Cola in the shocks and motor happily along.

Didn't try to stir this one up, I think I will just get some Jack oil today since my jack is leaking anyway!

There are certain rebuilders who put seals in.
Edit: And by now you should know that I use silicone brake fluid.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-05-16 02:54 PM by chris.

Indeed, any rebuilder worth their weight will put seals in, and when you get them back you will never have to worry about what type of oil to run because they will never leak again!

A related question. When I brought my B home and started doing the quick easy stuff, I thought to check the fluid level in the shocks. But when I removed the fill plug the oil just wanted to overflow. So I put it up on a jack and got the same result. How do I add oil while the shocks are installed?

Your shocks were overfilled. There needs to be some air at the top to allow for heat expansion. If the tip of the plug is wet, then they are full enough.

The oil, that Armstrong sold for many years ,was 20W. I still have a can of it, on the porch, that must be 30 years old now. RAY