Here is a link: http://members.tripod.com/austin_america/id63.html

That is what I worked off when I made mine. I've got a pressure gauge in my hydro pump as well. The only thing it won't do is evacuate the system. I think it was pretty easy to make. The hardest part is getting the screw on schraeder valve attachment. I couldn't find anyone local so I ended up getting one delivered from a company called sky geek in the US.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

I'll jump on the other bandwagon...

I'm a big fan of dry and not really a fan of hydro. I much prefer the feel of dry suspension - just seems more direct and more in touch with the road.

But I agree it's not in everyone's taste and for the ultimate crusier even I would be fitting hydro. But as 1018cc said it's a real shame there aren't more spares available anymore...

Making a hydro pump is very easy. You don't really need any fancy fittings. Just buy a clip on chuck like some of the ones in this photo, even Supercheap sells them...



I made my pump out of an old master cylinder. Much easier to use than a grease gun.





This is my home made screw on chuck...

So how often does your average 40 year old hydro bag need to be pumped up, also how do you depressurise the system using a home made pump

Dan

we have moved right away from the mambas now

You might need to pump it up every 6 - 12 months if everything is in pretty good order to keep the exact same height (this is for me and I drive my car a lot). Keep in mind that the nylon cups that the knuckles fit into wear when the suspension moves so as this wears you will have to keep pumping the suspension up over time.

As for depressurising, the valve is just like a tyre valve, push it in and hydro fluid will shoot out at an alarming rate! Just becareful not to get any in your eyes and don't be tempted to hook your air compressor up to it to pump it back up. To get a mini off the ground the system needs to be pressurised to 270psi+. Most people (including myself) use a 50/50 mixture of glycol and demineralised water as hydro fluid.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

My own Morris 1100 has only needed pumping up once since I got it in 1998. The pump gets very little use!

To let it down I just use a push-on chuck (like the AC-07 in the photo I posted earlier) with a bit of hose into a coke bottle.

Now I have the proper dealers pump and I don't need to use the home made one.

Another member of the hydro bandwagon here, wouldn't have it any other way. It really is heaps more comfortable on the road.

I have a grease gun pump just like Mick's, described here: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59552

It was cheap to put together (about $120 total) and works a treat. A must-have for any hydro owner who likes to fiddle, if you ask me

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Hey Nick

I wouldn't think that wear in the cup is going to affect anything. The cup is that thin that any wear would not be noticeable. If it wore enough to be an issue it will be worn through and need to be replaced.

Steve

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT