I've fitted a new front spring.
I've tightened up the shock absorber bolt and star plates to a reasonable pressure, but the front end is like a stiff yo-yo experience.
This was a unpleasant ride to say the least and due to some excessive dog poo I trod in at a Rally (Please, don't comment on this further, here - concentrate on the Yo-Yo) I had to discard the old shoes I had on and use the spare walking shoes I have in the car.... They are heavy and with the front end having a sort of solid bounce (an Oxymoron, I believe), my boot on the throttle pedal was bouncing a bit too and thus a jerky ride.

Reading that most excellent Booklet - 'Austin Seven Companion' by the 750 MC, on pages 183 - 184, quoting the 'Austin Seven Handbook' - 1995 Edition - Not Doug Woodrow's Manual, it states:
'Cleaning the Shock Absobers' ....... dismantle.... thoroughly clean ....The centre pin and washers should be lightly smeared with grease...

Am I to assume I have the front washers etc., to dry and to tight?
I have a few front shock absorber split Star plates from over the last 55 years.

Sandy Croall

Location: West Cornwall

Sandy. you could as usual be right in what you think, it could well be to much grip leading to a sudden release by the plates. Well worth trying a light smear of lube to see if it improves the ride. Welcome back I for one have missed your valuable
contributions on the site.

Location: Piddle Valley

Not sure about 'valuable', long winded sometimes, drifting, anicdotal, why use a picture* when a 1,000 words will do.

* Though there seems to be a slight hic-up at present, let alone I've forgotten how to post them - I'm sure I've given advise on this topic on this Forum in the past though...

Location: West Cornwall

Hi

Yes, it is hard to drive a car that is bouncing - I had this driving a Chummy recently. Have you had a look at what happens when you bounce the car by pressing down on the bonnet? I have found this useful to work out what the damper is doing. It should be possible to get the car to bounce at its resonant frequency by pushing down a few times, and then, as you know, this should stop smoothly when you let go in just more than one bounce, if the shock absorber is doing its job. It might be possible to work out if it is too slack or sticking from this?

Good to hear from you again.

Regards
Colin

I wonder if a more scientific approach to this would benefit us all?

People with a car with good working S/As.... remove shackle end of S/A from axle; Jack up car and put scales on a suitable platform under end of S/A arm; gradually lower car and note weight when end of arm moves (no doubt other methods of measuring force to move arm could be thought of...........long leaver with spring balance on end pivoted on something with short length end fixed to S/A so small spring balance could be used...etc....etc). Would need to state model of car or better still weight of front..
Eventually a table of models/weights could be built up for putting somewhere permanent on a club forum.

I use a drill press, kitchen scales and a ruler to work out the pound/inches of coil springs.....similar idea.

Quote-Have you had a look at what happens when you bounce the car by pressing down on the bonnet?
YES - big dent in bonnet.....

Dennis

Location: NW Devon

Sandy, For what it is worth.

Depending who one deals with amongst our "cherished suppliers" you can end up with damper discs made of either a Ferodo type material (high friction) or oiled beech wood as per the original components. I have used both across a couple of cars but, with the '29 chummy, (light car) I much prefer the oiled beech wood ones lightly greased. On the ARR Ruby I was quite happy with the Ferodo type discs so never changed from that type.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Basically, it seems, there has to be oil/grease in there some where, so there's no gritty friction.
It's raining today*, way down west, but I shall see if I can dismantle the shocker and access the amount of 'slip' on the disc's.

The car live's in a car port, the garage is full of domestic bits and pieces - and A7 spares including another 'A7 project' .

Location: West Cornwall