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MG TD TF 1500 - Fluid for hydraulic dampers MG TD

I have a 53 TD and the front end really bounces up and down easily. I have never added fluid to front or rear dampers. This looks easy.
What kind of fluid should I add?

Many thanks.
Bill Chandler
Ann Arbor, MI
W Chandler

Armstrong shock oil or 20W motorcycle fork oil.
Steve Simmons

Thank you Steve!
W Chandler

After looking in numerous places for 20W motorcycle fork oil abd coming up empty, I found the following at Tractor Supply:

Mystik PL AW Hydraulic Oil ISO 68

Downside is that you have to buy 2 gallons - but it's only $ 25 for it.

BobbyG

Bobby Galvez

As I posted on another thread, the larger question is why your shocks have lost their fluid? IMHO a rebuild is in order, by Peter Caldwell at Worldwide, since the seals are probably bad, there is probably gunk in the valving, and running it without fluid may well have damaged the internals. He gives a lifetime guarantee, and excellent service.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

I found a quart of 20 W fork oil at a local motorcycle shop.
I don't think any oil has been added to the dampers for over 15 years, so hopefully this will do the job. If not I will remove and either rebuild or replace.
Thanks to everyone for good advice.
Bill
W Chandler

Shock or fork oil are good, because they are designed to resist foaming under extreme agitation.
Steve Simmons

Remember to leave an air gap at the top. There needs to be some space at the top to allow the system to function correctly.
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

20W40 or 20W50 has the same viscosity as 20W, is a detergent oil and is found more easily. I run that in my diesels and TDs also.
JRN JIM

I added the 20W fork oil to all four dampers and it worked like a charm!! Thank you all…..
W Chandler

JRN JIM - engine oils are not advisable in shock absorbers. It is not simply a matter of viscosity. As is mentioned in a post above the fluid must have anti-foaming capabilities. For this reason it should be a specific shock fluid or a hydraulic fluid which also will have anti-foaming capabilities.
20 W fork oil is appropriate, and on another board I have seen Peter Caldwell state that he uses the Mystik PL AW Hydraulic Oil ISO 68 in his shop.

BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

You can go ahead and spend twice the price for "fork oil" with a drop of silicone; engine oils contain antifoaming agents along with numerous other additives. I usually grab some used hydraulic oil for all sort of applications like this.

It reminds me of the great hoax that's played out for the last half century that's netted drug companies billions of dollars- SIMETHICONE --- gets rid of gas bubbles! You may remember the commercials showing bubbles disappearing in a glass container after pouring in some crap with simethicone. The bubbles broke down but it did NOTHING to reduce the gas! Now that that cat is out of the bag, they say it makes you fart faster! Bull crap.
JRN JIM

It only takes about $4 worth of oil. Use the best possible product. Something specifically designed for the purpose. One bottle will last you 30 years.
Steve Simmons

Agreed. It will be interesting to see how long the fluid stays in the shocks. I would not bet against a rebuild. The fluid the was in there went somewhere else.. Probably a long time ago. Regards, tom
tm peterson

I'd use ATF. That's what I use in all my motorcycle forks (20+ bikes) and has been the recommended fluid for forks for years.
L Rutt

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2015 and 22/05/2015

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