pump up my ride

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pump up my ride

Postby billybob » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:14 am

Hi all,

still working on the mk 3 convertible....

So it is riding a little wonky. I think I am fairly safe to assume that the suspension needs a bit of a pump up on one of the front corners. Is there anyone around the Warwickshire area that is able to carry out this task? There don't seem to be many garages about that can do this anymore but if anyone has a contact that would be much appreciated. Another interesting thing that I noticed is that the car has "normal" dampers at the rear, I thought that they all had those hydragas jobbies on all corners....

I have read articles on how to do this with a grease gun but it's not really something I want to mess about with too much, the handling is bonkers enough!

Thanks!
billybob
 
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Re: pump up my ride

Postby ACourtney » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:01 am

Hi,

Some Convertibles had hydragas all round, but earlier cars had coil-overs at the back like the Gold Coupe. Both can be made to work well, but they do need to be set up properly. Before getting into the minefield of whether the hydragas units have lost gas, or fluid, it is worth simply getting the front pumped up so that it is level with "three fingers" clearance above the wheel to the arch. That is a good starting point before playing around with the handling.

Garages that still have a hydragas pump are getting fewer, but try the register at http://www.hydragas.co.uk/ to see if you can find somewhere local to you. If you can't find anywhere near, then bring it to my workshop at Enstone, North Oxfordshire and I can pump them up for you and also give you some advice as to what you may need to do to improve the handli/ride.

Alistair
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Re: pump up my ride

Postby billybob » Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:04 pm

that's a great site. There is a garage in Birmingham which isn't so far I guess, I'll give the a ring when I get the chance and see how much it's going to cost......
Thanks for the offer, I'l let you know how I get on.
billybob
 
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Re: pump up my ride

Postby benofbrum » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:49 pm

I have my Excelsior done at Kings Norton Garage. They recently levelled the ride height by reducing the rear hydragas struts. There phone number is 07867525039 They are just off the A441 coming into Birmingham about 4 miles from junction 2 of the M42 The are next door to a Mini and MEtro spares specialist, which sometimes comes in useful.
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Re: pump up my ride

Postby billybob » Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:01 am

Thanks, I know Kings Norton well, used to live in Selly Oak so I will give them a call.
billybob
 
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Re: pump up my ride

Postby billybob » Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:12 pm

Hi all, just to let you know (for those in the Warwickshire area) there is a garage called mini and metro spares in southam....They don't really advertise anywhere and the place is basically in the middle of a field.

However, the guys there are extremely helpful and their knowledge of minis and metros is incredible. They have a lovely set up there and sorted out my hydragas for 30 quid. They had to take out the battery tray too and sorted with new screws all in about 30 mins. Very chatty guys and more than reasonable- they also have all the kit to do engine/gearbox work and are clearly into racing looking at what they've got down there. Very useful indeed for the Warwickshire lot.
billybob
 
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