Gday
I am about to start making a pump out of a grease gun, I was wondering if anyone who has made their own pump could tell me where to buy the connector that fits on the valve on the car. I was thinking enzed may have something but if anyone knows for sure it would be very helpful.
Steve.

The valve on the car is a standard schrader (sp?) valve with a thread the same size as a tyre valve. You can use the connector off an old tyre pump, as long as it screws on (not clamps on like most) and the hose is capable of holding the pressure.

I'm sure Enzed would have a suitable fitting.

Cheers,

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

I was thinking about this (my Dad's into 1800's)

Wouldn't a regular foot pump work if you submerged it in a tub of whatever liquid is in the suspension system, pumped it til the air is expelled from the footpump and then connected it to the suspension valve?

(prepares to be mercilessly corrected...)

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1958 Morris Minor 1000 - "Nigel"

Hagar , I'll say this as nicely as possible , but it would work if you were able to put the weight of an African elefant onto the pump lever . But seriously , the reason for using something like a grease gun is they have a larger storage reservoir but still a small piston that only pushes a little amount of fluid at a time . Remember , you are trying to lift the mini off it's wheels by pumping fluid in so you need to be able to push it in at high pressure/low flow . A normal foot pump is low pressure/high flow , well , compared to a grease gun anyway .

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I have a homemade pump that I was fortunate enough to be given....it's made from a mini pedalbox.....it's basically the brake pedal mounted on a frame with the brake reservoir in the stock position. It allows the suspension fluid to be poured into the reservoir and simply pumped in by foot...and it pumps mighty fast and easy.

Just tried Enzed and he said no chance, tried a specialty air shop and he said the same, I thought it would be easy, maybe not. Bricho, i havn't seen many tyre pumps that do screw on, are they available? PEDDRO I like the idea of the brake pedal, i may go that way, it would be more convenient than holding the grease gun while pumping it.
Steve.

There was someone (I think from the forum too , theminiman , or however Matt spells his screen name, perhaps ?) selling connectors on ebay recently that were suitable , also check with the mini suppliers and see if they've got replacement parts ?

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I got a brass screw on fitting in one of those el cheapo $12 blister pack air fitting sets at the local hardware (along with various other bits). Unfortunately was the last pack he had.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Thanks awdmoke, hope it wasn't the last in the country, i will check that out.
Steve.

Below is an image that shows my hydro pump and how I used it.
The valve you want is the type used for putting water into tractor tyres it has a bleeder valve so you can expell any air (about $30). Call your local tyre company and get their Rep's name and number and he'll get one to you. I got the 2 brass reducers from Autopro (about $3 & $4). Use plumbers tephlon tape on all joints otherwise it'll leak.

This is what it looks like and works a treat

Nice diagram.

That will be handy for someone later on.

How do you check the pressure of your setup? Do you simply pump it up to a height that suits you??

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Yes, very nice, thanks TimB.
Steve.

Apparently you can put an inline guage but I just did the measurement thing.

I'll say - should this be in the "How to" section as well? I'm going to save it anyway as reference. Thanks for the work you've done, and the tips about sourcing the parts - which is half the battle!

Yes I think it should be in the how to section it is often asked about. I have been meaning to do a more detailed account but I'm too busy oil painting peoples minis at the moment.