Sunbeam ALPINE I SERIES: APLINE II SERIES, Workshop Manual

Page: 194 / 413

Page 30
On slow rebound strokes, fluid passes through a
calibrated bleed groove In the face of the piston
valve seat.
Any fluid which passes between the piston rod
and the piston rod guide bearing Is prevented from
escaping by the multi-lip piston rod seal (D).
Undue Internal fluid pressure on this seal Is relieved
as the fluid passes through a port to the drain tube
(J), the lower end of which is Immersed In the
reservoir fluid to prevent aeration.
TESTING
When there Is any question of suspension not
being adequately damped, the condition of the
following should be considered: road springs, tyre
pressures, bump rubbers and bump rubber seats,
as these carry the full bump load of the suspension.
If a shock absorber does not appear to function
satisfactorily an Indication of Its resistance can be
obtained by carrying out the following check:-
Remove the shock absorber from Its mounting.
Place the shock absorber vertically In a vice,
holding by the lower spindle between two
pieces of wood.
WSM. 124
Section F (Front Suspension)
Grip the dirt shield firmly with the hands and
prime the shock absorber by working It up and
down several times to expel the air.
Move the piston (free top half) up and down
through one complete cycle to check the
nature of the movement.
Moderate and even resistance throughout the
outward and Inward stroke should be felt. If,
however, the resistance Is slight, erratic, or
free movement cannot be eliminated by
priming, then the shock absorber should be
changed.
As only the "bleed" incorporated in the valves
can be felt when operating the shock absorber
manually even when new, no amount of hand testing
will provide a true Indication of the resistance of
the shock absorbers at speeds obtained on bumpy
roads. It will, therefore, be appreciated that a new
shock absorber may appear to be weak when
operated by hand, but this should not be taken as
evidence of a fault. Air will bleed Into the working
parts of a shock absorber when not in use, particu­
larly If it Is stored In any position other than vertical,
and this air must be expelled before the shock
absorber Is tested.