Speed 25 Shock Absorbers

My winter project is to refurbish my shock ansorbers, leaks from which have been the reason for several MOT advisories, and recommission the Luvax adjustment system which has been dismantled since before my ownership.  Can anybody advise me on the following:  1.  How to dismantle the shock absorbers themselves, and how to rebuild them so that they are oil tight on completion.  2.  The handbook mentions a pump on one of the axles which pressurises the system depending on axle movement and hence road conditions.  Where exactly is this pump located, and can it be dismantled and refurbished ?  3.  Where to source the necessary small bore copper pipework and connections.  Any advice on the pipe runs would also be much appreciated.  Many Thanks  Neil Willatt Posted by NeilWillatt 03/02/2013 15:01:10

Hi Neil, I'm not sure if you have the same shockers on your speed 25 as my speed 20 which has adjustable Hartfords. Anyway I suggest you contact Graham Brown 02086515347. He rebuilt my units for me. Supplied a new pressure pot and a new bag for the regulator. He will also provide the copper tubing and the fittings which are 3/8th BSF. The whole cost was less than a pair of new Hartfords Posted by speed20 11/02/2013 15:13:15

These shockers are simple in operation but difficult to make oil tight when worn. You will need to make a special tool to undo the screwed back of each unit. You will need to have new oil seals made and possibly re-bush the bearing surface on each. Sometimes find the valve arrangement is not the same setting on all shockers, some nits having been changed, not in pairs, during the service life of the car. This (balance) is obvious on stripping and should be checked and corrected.  The 'pump' was fitted over the rear right chassis arch and connected to the axle via a 'throttle' type linkage. This transmitted larger bump and rebound movements, via its own fluid medium to a special valve on the scuttle which in turn, transmitted more pressure to each shocker valve via a secondary fluid pipe system thus 'tightening' the shocker action. There was a hand control for manual action. It was never a very reliable or effective system (more of a sales gimmick at the time). The Bentley system with a constant pressure pump was much more effective. I prefer to use the standard shockers without the remote action as they seem to last longer without attention. The pump can be dismantled and rebuilt; you will have to make/turn all the parts for it. Many these days are in position but not working.  Your Alvis Specialist should be able to recondition and set/adjust your units for you.  Nick Simpson Posted by Nickalvis 16/02/2013 16:50:40