Hydrolastic advice please.

Hi There

I am unfamiliar with this new-fangeld hydorlastic stuff, my previous experience being no more technologically advanced that the cart spring found in the back of a Triumph Spitfire.

I've recently aquired a Mk3 Elf that has spent the previous year alternately as a museum exhibit and being trailered around to shows.
I've done about 150 miles in the last month, and it is taking on a definite lean to the right. Is this the car objecting to the number of pies I've been eating, or is there a potential problem with the suspension?

I really am a newbie as far as wet suspension systems are concerned, and I don't even know what to look for to determine if it has sprung a leak.
Any advice gratefully received....

Alternatively, can anyone recommend a specialist who could look at this and rectify it for me? I am based in Fleet, in North East Hampshire.

Thanks in advance
Paul

Just Google Hydrolastic and you can find all sorts of information to read up on. The Austin America site at http://members.tripod.com/austin_america/id63.html is a good source of information, as well.

Any local garage can probably give you a "pump-up" to correct the ride height and this may be all that's required.
Fluid is available from Halfords or most motor factors.

However, the "lean" may be an indication of a leak. There's only four main components to the system each side:

Schraeder valve, displacer, rear to front pipe and another displacer. The displacers are pretty bullet-proof and seem to go on forever but the valves and pipes do leak occasionally. New parts are available from Minispares etc.
If necessary the displacers can be re-hosed.

The hydrolastic ride is a love it or hate it experience (a bit like marmite) as you bounce along down the road. Personally ithink it's great and both my cars are still "wet".

Hope this is of some help, best of luck with the little car,
Al