austin maxi hydrolastic suspension

kasper

would any one here know where i could get the suspension pressurised in or around westmeath would be great but willing to travel ? it is a 1975 maxi 1750

benny_cakes

If you can't find someone with a pump, Minispares in the UK sell the hydrolastic pump for hydrolastic suspensioned minis, reckon it might fit a maxi also.

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=pb&pid=34940&title=

A bit on the expensive side thu!!

8~)

There's a good chance that Paul at Classic Services can do it: http://classicservicesireland.com/

kasper

thanks for that guys i was talking to paul and he doesnt have the eqiupment to do them

8~)

Pity - thought there was a good chance he would have the equipment. Suppose there's not much call for it.

Is there an Irish Mini club or the likes where you could enquire - you can't be the first person in Ireland to need a suspension pump-up.

kasper

i phoned one of the guys from irishmini.ie and he is going to see if he can find anyone there that knows where it can be done ,thanks for all the help

johnos1984

I had it done in Nenagh, not sure who did as a mechanic sorted it but if you call Donie Comerfords and get talking to him he should be able to sort it

kasper

thanks john i am in mullingar i hope to get someone in a 50km radius but if i cant i will try him

macplaxton

Know any ex-Rover dealers in your area?

The same sort of pump is used from the Austin 1100 right through to the MGF.

You can make a home one out of a greased gun and the right fittings. You could get a pressure only Liquid Levers pump for around £100 second-hand on fleabay (that's what I did when I had a Maxi). The posh pumps (Liquid Levers Hydravac or the old V.L. Churchill "daleks") will also evacuate the system to.

Is definitely a Hydrolastic Maxi or a Hydragas one?

kasper

definitly hydrolastic they changed to gas in 1977

kasper

thanks mac will know tomorrow if the machine can be borrowed tomorrow

macplaxton

Phew! I was having Hydrasag nightmares there. Hydrolastic is less aggro in my book.

kasper

thanks everyone hopefully have its rear off the ground for the weekend

kasper

hi guys just one more question what is the fluid called or where to get it ,? i got the machine for pressurising the suspension it hasnt been used in over ten years and the chap who i got it of doesnt remember the proper fluid , he told me he had used the lhm fluid but it wasnt right for the job . thanks joe

macplaxton

LHM may have rotted the seals? Don't use that whatever you do - it's mineral oil - you need a 50% water / 50% alcohol mix. Check the seals first, if it's a Liquid Levers pump it's easy enough to get seals for. If it's another type you should still be able to get some seals somewhere.

Anyway Hydrolastic Fluid is what you want which can be bought or homemade.

Carlube: (clicky image for link)




Morris oils:


Rimmer Bros stock Silver Hook Hydrolastic Fluid @ £26.73 and MG Rover / X-Part fluid at £41.21


It's starts from around 20 GBP a gallon but can be as dear as £42!!

(Comma used to do one, but I can't find it anywhere on the 'net. I've got nearly a full container of it - but it's in England - otherwise you could have it. If I put my hands on it soon you can have first dibs)

Official Recipe for Hydrolastic Fluid:

The liquid is a solution of 49% alcohol, 49% distilled water, 1 % triethanolamine phosphate and 1% sodium mercaptobenzthiazole, which is of constant viscosity and has a freezing temperature of 31 degrees C. According to BMC, the particular reason this fluid is used instead of distilled water with an antifreeze is that this fluid IS an antifreeze solution of constant viscosity containing a rust inhibitor with an agent added to make the fluid distasteful. (This last was a legal requirement.) (see original thread HERE which has other recipes)

Any X-Part dealer should be able to get it. There's one in Belfast I pass regularly, but I'm usually going past after closing time (HERE MG Rover stuff at £41.51). Failing that, any good motor factors.

Let me know if you're having trouble getting it local.

kasper

cheers for that local motor factors dont have it and never heard of it , lhm was what i was told was the same and it was almost going in tomorrow morning so saved by the bell ,lots more phone calls tomorrow i think , thanks again

macplaxton

kasper wrote: »

definitly hydrolastic they changed to gas in 1977

Reading back through the thread of course it is. 1975 was mentioned in the first post that I missed

Yes 1978 "model year" so late '77.

(I have owned in the past two Hydragas Maxi 1750s:- one 1750 manual and a 1750HL auto, 1 Austin 1800, 1 Austin 1100, 1 Austin 1300 and met legend himself Dr Moulton (still own a few Moulton bicycles too))

mmarks

I know this is reviving an old thread but I need my MGF pressurising.
I live in Arklow, Co. Wicklow - anyone know where I can get this done, or alternatively, where I can buy the fluid in Ireland if I buy a pump (around 50 GBP on Ebay).

Or, does anyone have one I could borrow?

macplaxton

If you're really stuck, I think Hursts in the North have fluid.

kasper

the rover dealer in blancherstown have it not sure of the name i think flynns , any links to the pump for pressurising the system for fifty euro ?