Ambassador suspension

[jjp666]

I am looking at getting an 80's Ambassador hearse that has dropped suspension on one of the front legs. I believe they have hydrogas but know nothing about it. Can they be refilled or do they have to be replaced. Are they available?It also suffers with stalling when hot - does anyone know if this is a common problem and what might be the reason?Any info would be appreciated.

[MrRegieRitmo]

I am looking at getting an 80's Ambassador hearse that has dropped suspension on one of the front legs.

I read that as you were 'looking for a car that was lopsided!'

[Mr_Bo11ox]

If the hydragas has popped, you will have to find which bit has let go. It could be that the interconnecting pipe has rusted through, or one of the displacers has carked it. All can be replaced but its not super-easy. If the steel pipe has rusted out, you can replace it with a bendy plastic one, or chop out the rotten bit of pipe (its 1/2 inch diameter) and replace it, I think commercial vehicle air lines use this size of pipe and will donate some fittings. If you want to replace the pipe using the correct BL-issue steel pipe you'll have to dismantle the entire car.For pumping it up, you can: A) find a nearby garage that has got a pump and ask them to inflate it: Cost £25. Buy a secondhand ex-BL robot pump off ebay, cost about £60 plus shipping (they are a damn great heavy thing)C) Buy a new pump from 'Liquid Levers'; Cost £125 or £200 plus shipping depending on whether you go for the basic model or the super-duper vacuum one.d) Make a pump out of a grease gun and a suitably modified valve cap: Cost about £20 plus the risk of the valve cap blowing off into your face.e) buy a grease gun-type pump, but with the correct fitting on, from the advert which is always in the back of Practical classics; cost £90 all in.The fluid is avaialabe from any decent motor factor - its only water and antifreeze anyway so just make your own if you cant find any.On the subject of pumps, I am manufacturing a couple of my own of the 'e' option above, cost has been about £55 per unit as I have used a really good trigger-type grease gun, I am gonna keep one and eBay the other.Hope that helps!

[Guest]

I dont think I have ever seen an ambassador hease-any pic's?

[andrew e]

Try this...http://www.hydragas.co.uk/index.htmlAs for the stalling, I think its a vapourisation problem, but that might be bollocks. Failing that try Kev here...http://www.leylandprincess.co.uk/placemat.htm

[Mr Average]

I can't add a lot more to what Mr B said.

 

If your lucky the displacer has just droped over time and will simply need pumping up, but as Mr B said check the pipe work first to see if there are any obvious holes. If there are none you can see you'll just have to pump it up and see what happens.

 

As I say that maybe all it needs, but as you pump it you will either see fluid most likey coming from the flexible hose, or worst case secanrio the displacer has gone.

 

They now like rocking horse shit and as the years role by it becoming an ever increasing problem sourcing them as the only source is the cars that still survive unless some has hoarded a stash of NOS ones hope springs eternal! So I am very particular what I do with my two nowadays!

 

As Andrew said Kevin Davis Princess site has tutorial on how to change the front displacer, which should help you out

[jjp666]

Thanks for the input guys. I will ask the current owner if he knows if the pipes are knackered or not.Rootes, the hearse is on the link below, halfway down with the grannie hearse. They are similar obviously to the princess but not many were converted.http://www.leylandprincess.co.uk/hearse.htm

[andrew e]

[Guest]

Thanks. Thats kinda cool-

[155V6]

If you need the suspension pumping up,there's always people on Metropower offering the service.