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MG MGF Technical - Hydragas re-charge ?

Measured the distance from centre of hub to wheel arch and all four corners are about 340 mm - I believe it should be 368 mm ??

Could it be there's a different measurement on my 2001 1.8 freestyle, 16" rims or does the system require pumping up ??

I wondering if it's simply neglect from the previous owner or someone has lowered the car deliberately ?

Also anyone know where to get this done reasonably in the Telford / Shrewsbury area ?

Thanks

R Willetts

The figure of 368mm applies to all MGFs except the Trophy 160, so yes yours 'should' be 368mm at the front. There's no official figure for the rear measurement, but when parked on level ground there should be no difference from one side to the other. It is possible that the previous owner has fitted shorter Trophy pins to the hydragas displacers, but probably more likely that the system needs re-pressurising - leakage of nitrogen/fluid out of the system is almost inevitable and the pressure drop results in droop of the ride height.

There's one person listed under Shropshire in the Hydragas Register - http://www.hydragas.co.uk/search.html?q=Shropshire
No info on who that person is, might just be an individual with a pump or might be a workshop, best call and find out. An MGF specialist will be able to tell whether the suspension is standard spec or has been fitted with Trophy items, or if you can take a close-up photo of the rubber gaiter and post it here then it should be possible to identify - the Trophy pins cause the concertina effect of the gaiter to be more pronounced than with standard pins.
bandit

Yes, be careful of lowering knuckles (or lowering pins) - as setting the car to OEM ride height will mean a considerably higher than standard hydragas pressure. As a guide, at a standard ride height, the pressure is usually in the region of 400psi, so if your car's low and the pressure in the region of 300-350psi then it will need recharging. Most hydragas pumps have a pressure gauge, so this should be straightforward.

Measurement at the rear is, from memory, 348mm +/- 10mm at 17 degrees celcius ambient temperature. However, ride height is measured from the front: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/suspension/howto_lower.htm
Rob Bell

After reading this I decided to go and check the measurement on mine.

Front o/s 320mm
Front n/s 330mm
Both rear 330mm

Anywhere in the Teesside area/ north yorkshire that I can get mine pumped up?

I was feeling really pleased with myself as my car passed an MOT on tuesday and it went through with flying colours for a change...and now I will have to fork out for this instead :o(
How much is it likely to cost?

Bob
R Appleton

Depends on who does it - prices range from a 'pint' to around 30 quid...
Rob Bell

I charge a pint and made my pump using info from Dieter's website. The hydragas fluid costs more than beer.
Charless

I had front and back done at a garage in Marske for £25, if you can get up that way I will get you the address details
Chris Catchpole

Chris, What is the name of the garage in Marske. I only live about ten minutes away (near Loftus)

Bob
R Appleton

When my suspension needed a boost recenly,I tried all the ex-MG Rover related garages in the North East of Scotland without success. They either no longer had a pump, or it was knackered.

Eventually found a wee place in the back of beyond called Leylodge Motors.

They did the suspension, provided and fitted a new widow washer pump, replaced the HT leads I provided and gave her a full service and MOT for just over £200! and made a great job I may add.
Sam Murray

Sorry it took so long Bob, dont get on here much these days

Care Care, Unit 1, Longbeck Industrial Estate, Marske-by-the-Sea, Redcar, Cleveland TS11 6HB
Tel: 01642 478516
Chris Catchpole

Oh dear, might have a problem here..

My wife took the car to have the suspension blown up, after 24 hours I checked and it's still 340mm - however I didn't check it after coming back from the garage ( my fault I know I was busy ! )so it could have been incorrectly set ....

So it's going back tomorrow to be blown up again - question is , if it's back at 340/330 mm all round tomorrow what's failed - all four hydragas units ?!?
R Willetts

No, I don't think so. Most likely is that the suspension has settled down again! As this is a fluid/gas suspension system, it can be a fiddle to get right.

The method I use to trim the height to was I need is "the rule of thirds" detailed here: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DIY/suspension/howto_lower.htm

Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 23/05/2010 and 24/06/2010

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