How Do You Check Lever Arm Shocks?

[67BJ8]

The rear suspension on my BJ8 "bangs" sometimes when I go over a bump. I think that it might be the lever arm shocks. How do you check them out? The rear springs are new.

 

[GregW]

I would check the mounting bolts from the shocks to the frame. The shock body is made from a somewhat soft aluminum.

 

[BugEyeBear]

Check for fluid leaks from the shaft area.
Dirt gets in there and destroys the seal & shaft.

Disconnect the end of the lever arm & check that it provides resistance in both directions.

IF they are leaking they'll eventually fail.

IF they provide no resistance they have already failed.

Contact Peter Caldwell at NOS Import Parts (peter@nosimport.com) for a rebuild or for more info on evaluating condition. He REALLY knows these shocks, won't try to rip you off, & (if necessary) provides an excellent rebuild that will long outlast the originals!! :thumbsup:

"Cheers!"
-Bear-

 

[pan]

A possibly easier way to check, assuming that the problem is the shocker itself & not merely loose mounting bolts, might be to check the temperature of the shocker.
After a longish run the shockers should be warm to touch. If they are cold, then they have not been doing anything. I admit I have never tried this on a Healey, but in the transport maintenance game this is the best method of checking shocker condition.
On the other hand, after a longish run everything on a Healey would be hot to touch!
Loose bolts is much more likely. The most obvious symptom is a rumbling sound coming from the rear axle area. It is not uncommon to find the mounting holes worn into elongated slots by the loose bolts.

 

[BugEyeBear]

Yes, A-H Lever shocks do get HOT after long use.

On my race cars they frequently get too hot to touch!

-Bear-

 

[glemon]

Definitely check the bolts, they regularly tend to loosen up over time, I have found that the bounce test (push down on the fender of choice) is pretty much worthless for most LBCs, as the limited travel and stiff suspensions tend to limit percievable bounce even if the shock is pretty much all gone.

 

[Dave Richards]

My rear suspension also "bumps" when the shock mounting bolts are loose. It's not hard to tighten them.

Make sure the shocks are full of fluid.

Peter at NOS does excellent work, quick turn around and a lifetime warranty against leaking...

 

[Shane]

I would check the mounting bolts from the shocks to the frame. The shock body is made from a somewhat soft aluminum.

Thank you for resolving a headache that I've had for a long time. I jacked the back of the Healey up at lunch, tightened up the driver's side rear shock where it mounts to the frame and she rides as quiet as ever!

 

[tahoe healey]

Add star or reverse star washer to the mounting bolts. They hold real well with doing any damage to the surfaces.