The French Blatting Company
1949 MG TC
How to rebuild TC shock absorbers.
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In the vice, top view.
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Side view.
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Core plug side.
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A core plug which has been drilled to remove.
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Drilling out the core plug. You need to drill right up the the edge and a line to the centre.
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Removing the core plug. You will need to hammer the screwdriver into the drilled slot. They are tight.
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Undoing the end cap.
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Draining oil, if there's any left.
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Undoing the other end cap.
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Removing the 4 screws that hold the top cap on.
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Top cap removed.
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Removing the actuaating peg.
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Fiddling the peg upwards.
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Pressing the arm out.
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Gauge shows 3.5 tonnes but it went to 5.5 ton before it "cracked" open.
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Arm removed.
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Measuring the depth of the piston.
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Cleaned end caps and top filler cap.
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Fitting the new double lip seals.
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Cleaning the rust and old seal from the arm on an 8" wire brush.
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Removing the old bush, err, hose. All the bushes had old rubber hose not the correct bushes.
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The old bushes, before they go into the bin.
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Washing up liquid applied to the bush. I think the bushes took longer to replace that all the rest of the work added together.
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Having applied washing up liquid, and tightening the threaded rod slightly, gently press the rubber bush all around to get the edge started.
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Removing the arm from the link.
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Nearly there.
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Push a thin bladed screwdriver between the bush and the arm to break the "seal" created by the rubber and rust.
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And then clean the arm with a rotary brush or sanding band.
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Use a threaded rod (can be undone both ends) to pull the new bush into the housing.
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Getting ready to press the arm with the bush in place onto the spindle. Note the spindle is held in a piller drill vice.
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Inserting the arm into the shock absorber.
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And tapping it in. Then to the press.
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Pressing the arm into the housing.
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Nearly all the way, it can take over 5 ton to get it fully home.
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Tighten end caps
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Fill with oil...
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... and prime to get the air out. As you pump the arm up and down it will become much tighter.
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Topped up.
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Top refitted....
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... and final top-up
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The replacement core plug washer. Call it 29mm.
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Inserting the fibre washer using a drift and hammer. Tap it gently all the way round.
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Core plug being tapped in. Apply some glue around the edge before tapping in then hit the centre one sharp tap in the centre to spread the plug.
That's it, the pictures may not be in strict sequence but I'm sure you'll forgive me. This was a selection from 190 pictures taken on the day.
I'm aware not everyone has the tools and equipment that I have at my disposal but I thing the press is essential but you may find you can manage without the 8" wire brush and a pair of Stilsons (pipe wrench).