| Author | Message | ||
     Jan Forrest New User Username: got_one Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2008 |
Now here's a funny thing ... I know about the dangers of messing around with high pressure gasses as I regularly have access to them at pressures of 240BAR (3,500psi) and above - even at home! Since the blunt end of "The Old Girl" is sagging a bit I would like to check the pressure in my acumulators before trying to fit new rear sprngs, although that's pencilled in for later this year. So; the question is: Does anyone know the thread size/form on the business end of the acumulator? Many thanks in advance. (Message edited by Got_One! on 31 January 2008) | ||
| Kelly Opfar New User Username: kelly_opfar Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jan, the car should sit at the correct ride height with the car turned off and the rear rams fully retracted. The rams are to compensate for rear seat passengers and/or a full fuel tank. If the car's bum sags, it needs new springs. That being said, the accumulator port is 5/8" diameter with 18 threads per inch. They are regular fine series English threads. | ||
| Jan Forrest New User Username: got_one Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2008 |
Hi Kelly. Yes, I know how The Old Girl should sit on her haunches - but she doesn't. The tops of the rear tyres are always buried up inside the wheel arches and she doesn't budge from there regardless of the quantity of LPG or petrol in her tanks or luggage in the boot. Also I tend to lose braking effort almost as soon as the engine stops which fortunately doesn't happen much since I fine-tuned the LPG tickover mixture! Anyway: Thanks for the info; now I can source an adapter somewhere and at least check the gas pressure in the acumulators. More anon ... | ||
| Bill Coburn Moderator Username: bill_coburn Post Number: 952 Registered: 4-2003 |
Jan Perhapos I can save you the trouble of adapters etc. The accumulators from your descriptions will be empty. The only reason you have brakes is because the engine is running. In short you are driving a dangerous car. The fuel pumps have only got to fail or your gas expires and you are in angel gear. But I suppose you knew all that. | ||
| Jan Forrest New User Username: got_one Post Number: 8 Registered: 1-2008 |
I know Bill, I know; but ... as I previously mentioned I have access to a range of pressuried gasses at well over the requisite 1,000psi so, once I've got an adapter, I can repressurise them. If they still don't hold pressure I'll just have to get the overhaul kits and 'bite the bullet'. | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 747 Registered: 9-2004 |
Double danger if the warning lights are not working. Is it a Shadow 1 or two? Have you exhausted the system with just the ignition on,engine not running. | ||
| Jan Forrest New User Username: got_one Post Number: 10 Registered: 1-2008 |
1976, Shadow 1. Both lights work but I get tired of pumping (engine off) long (?) before they come on again. Oddly only system 1 light comes on in a morning unless she's been stood for a couple of days. | ||
| Jan Forrest Experienced User Username: got_one Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2008 |
Thanks for the info Kelly. I went all over town in the space of several of days before I was pointed in the direction of an hydraulics specialists just half a mile from home. The 'old' guy (about my age  ) behind the counter sorted me out with the correct adapter in a matter of minutes. The other end wasn't the right thread for my hose end but "No problem: I'll just run a tap down it". Another couple of minutes and the job was done ... all for the princely sum of GBP£2.60 - about Aus$5.50  . They also do steel braided hoses to order. I think I'll be back. Finally I was able to start the job late this afternoon. After stripping off the support plate I applied pressure with a big spanner, and more pressure, and even more pressure. The damn charging caps just wouldn't budge until I turned round and put my foot on the spanner! At least they did come off eventually. Strangely, rather than nylon seating balls the valves had 'o' rings seated in machined recesses. Anyone else found this, or is it just my Shadow? In the event there was no discernable hydraulic fluid in the caps or dripping from the valves even though I hadn't yet depressurised the acumulators. After doing this I was able to put about 200psi into system 2. System 1 however appeared to be flat! Nevertheless it happily took 1050psi (to allow for a little leakage while resealing the system) and only dropped a little because my hose assembly leaks. I also took the opportunity to drain & clean the hydraulic reservoirs and refill them with my home-made RR363. Following a 4 minute high tickover engine run I also topped them up again. After clearing up, washing and changing clothes it was 7:30pm and I wasn't in the mood to start cooking - well, would you be? Anyhoo, I hopped in The Old Girl and nipped 'up the road' to the chippy for a fish supper. What a revelation! OK, so she only hitches her skirts up another half inch (new springs then this weekend) but the steering, handling and ride were just so much more ... refined: Just as you should expect from a Rolls Royce. Content? Happy? I'm well chuffed  |
