Multiplex Hartford Shock Absorbers

DavidThompson

The description given on page 26A of the '85 Technical Facts, of how to fit 3+2 arm shock absorbers is confusing (to me, at least).
Should the triple arm be attached to the chassis or the axle?

Iain Warner · Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2019 5:23 pm Post subject:

David, The 2007 version has been amended to clarify your confusion. The penultimate sentence reads "In the case of the M or Multiplex types, the reference would be double and triple arms in their respective positions".
That is the triple to the axle and double to the chassis. At least that is how I read it, although I have seen many examples of them mounted the other way round!
Iain

DavidThompson · Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:21 pm Post subject:

Iain, that’s how I saw it too, but the very lovely 4.5 restoration on page 11 of the December Advertiser shows the triple arm attached to the chassis.
It caused me to question if I have fitted mine correctly.

Nicholas Simons · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 9:36 am Post subject:

Surely, this is an aesthetic issue rather than a technical one? The damper will function the same whichever way it is installed.

DavidThompson · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 10:22 am Post subject:

Nicholas, you would certainly think so, but having refurbished my shock absorbers, I followed the advice given in Technical Facts when re fitting them.
Although the form of words used is somewhat confusing, there is no doubt the book tells us there is a correct way of doing so.

However, the ride is much improved, and like you, I suspect there is no real difference whichever way up they are.

Nicholas Simons · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 11:49 am Post subject:

I'll buy a drink for anyone who can explain in engineering terms why this form of damper would behave differently in either orientation.

DavidThompson · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:41 pm Post subject:

And I'll buy the second round.......

John Robins · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:53 pm Post subject:

Since I don’t know the answer, should I go on the wagon?

Andrew_T · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 9:16 pm Post subject:

Mounting the two arm end to the axle gives a bit less unsprung weight, so theyre perhaps worth fitting that way in the absence of any other better reason to the contrary ?

Andy

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:44 am Post subject:

Maybe it is a simple matter of accessibility and fitting.