I have not depressurised the suspension yet, and have what should be a simple question.

Is it ok to take out the fluid and let the bags deflate without the car being on stands? or should I place stands under the car?

I am worried that the bags could split.

I am also thinking that if the car was on stands then potentially all of the fluid may not be extracted.

I plan to stick with the hydrolastic suspension in this car.

Any advise would be great.

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1966 Morris Mini Minor Saloon (Dot) - 1275 Auto - Mongrel
1968 Morris Mini Van (Ivan) - 998 Auto - Mongrel
1968 Morris Mini.Matic (George) - Original
1968 Morris Mini.Matic (Charlie) - Original

you're right, it's best to let the fluid out with the weight on the suspension so the maximum amount of the fluid can come out. The bags won't split

be prepared for a lot of dirty brown gunk

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

There is nearly 300psi pressure in there, for safety sake do not unscrew the schraeder valves until you have let the pressure out.
I just depress the valve stem using the domed cap, until the pressure is gone.
You don't need to apply vacuum to the system unless you are changing bags or lines. If the fluid is dirty, just pump it up to height (with new fluid) and blow down /pump back up a few times.
You can buy hydro fluid in a 4L can from Karcraft, otherwise make your own using a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol (green coolant) concentrate and demineralised (or distilled) water.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Great. Thanks guys. It is the first time that I am doing this - obviously.

I purchased the hydrolastic pump from MiniSport some time ago .. as all of my cars "float on fluid".

I think that I will replace the fluid anyway.

I am doing a total rebuild on this car, so the lines will be taken off as both subframes will be removed etc etc.

I will be attempting it tomorrow morning.

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1966 Morris Mini Minor Saloon (Dot) - 1275 Auto - Mongrel
1968 Morris Mini Van (Ivan) - 998 Auto - Mongrel
1968 Morris Mini.Matic (George) - Original
1968 Morris Mini.Matic (Charlie) - Original

Didn't the original fluid have 50% alcohol? Maybe you should bottle it?

Original fluid had water, alcohol and a bittering agent.
[edit] from wikipedia-
49% alcohol,
49% distilled water,
1% triethanolamine phosphate,
1% sodium mercaptobenzothiazole.
The Karcraft stuff smells pretty much like it did.

The 50/50 glycol & water recipe is/was sold here by Penrite, and is a popular mix in USA.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have just read the instructions and it tells me that before connecting the Hydrolastic Suspension Pump to the car I must put 2.5 litres of fluid into it.

Can I get away with not doing this or is it a must do?

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1966 Morris Mini Minor Saloon (Dot) - 1275 Auto - Mongrel
1968 Morris Mini Van (Ivan) - 998 Auto - Mongrel
1968 Morris Mini.Matic (George) - Original
1968 Morris Mini.Matic (Charlie) - Original

If you are just draining the system don't worry about it