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PostPosted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 8:47 pm 
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848cc
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Location: Newcastle
Wondering if my hydro bag is still useable?

I recently replaced wheel bearings in my '69 K and in my rush, I must let the knuckle dislodge itself from front passenger hydro bag. On the weekend, I took it for a run and noticed a rather large squeaky noise... which turned out to be the knuckle squishing the hydro bag. Serendipitously we stopped outside Rod Martin's property and he graciously helped me get back on the road.

After disassembling the suspension though - I wanted to get some thoughts on whether I should try to knock the bend out of the metal frame of the bag, reinstall as is (it was holding pressure fine) or replace with another bag?

Its worth noting that the green fluid on the dust cover of the bag, dripped from the hose as I was trying to hold it.


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:54 am 
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They're tough to straighten. I would find another bag. I replace the hoses but can't fix that.

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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. :mrgreen:


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 7:34 pm 
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1275cc
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Location: Camden
Bad luck with that.

Ditto for drmini's comments about knocking out the ding.

However, the internal rubber chambers are extremely tough and are probably not damaged. If you have no alternative, it would be worth trying to reuse it.
From your photos, the swage where the hose joins the displacer appears to be a bit rusty and that might be more of an issue in the near future - but fixable.


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 11:31 am 
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848cc
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Thanks for the replies DrMini and Bill.

I've sourced some bags, so I'll replace both front bags.

Is there anything that I should be replacing while things are apart? I was thinking knuckle joints and possibly rubber seal ring?


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 12:44 pm 
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1275cc
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Location: Wollongong, NSW
There’s two rubber seals on the pivot of the upper arm, it’s a good time to replace them if they’re split. Your droop/rebound buffer also looks a bit compressed or non existent

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 3:07 pm 
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Check the pin and it's bearings along with the thrust surfaces. Often the bearings seize. It's hard to tell when there's pressure on them.

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 4:56 pm 
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I'd replace the knuckle joint.
2 years ago I had a rear one break at the ball. It took out the rear trailing arm.
Expensive tow truck ride home.
Luckily I had a spare arm or two. :mrgreen:
I've since replaced the other 3 knuckle joints.

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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. :mrgreen:


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 8:37 pm 
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1275cc
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All of the above suggestions are worth checking while the pressure is out of the system - especially if they haven't been checked in a (long) while. These parts are usually only messed with when something breaks!
When repressurising the system, go slowly at first and check that the ball pins, front and rear on the side you are working, are still in place; lower the car to the ground and finish pressurising.

It is good practice to empty and re pump the suspension with the car on the ground, as the weight of the car helps to flush out old fluid and prevents the ball pins from slipping out of the displacer struts.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2025 9:26 am 
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848cc
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I picked up some displacers yesterday (reportedly from a Cooper). From information on mk1-performance forum, the various Cooper models received all of the different types of displacer types.

Out of interest, I was wondering what type of displacers these were?

There appears to be a painted band - I would guess a single silver band - but there's no other part numbers to identify it.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2025 11:58 am 
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1275cc
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Those displacers look useful.
A single silver painted band would indicate it is a later (after about 1969) front displacer for Cooper S - part number 21A2012 plus a date was usually stamped on the cannister, although not always easy to find. Rear displacers are 21A2014 with 2 silver bands, usually on the end of the hose.
If you wash and scrub the hose to remove ingrained dirt, you may find traces of a silver band painted onto the hose, usually near the free end, which is visible when assembled into the car.

There is a difference between "standard" and "competition" displacers with regard to the distance from the top of the displacer cannister, down to the height of the moulded rubber where the hose attaches; I can't find any details at the moment but they are on Ausmini and Mk1-Forum.
"Standard" displacers were used on DeLuxe and Mini K - 21A2008 - 1 green band on the cannister, used on front and rear.


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2025 8:45 pm 
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Location: Newcastle
Cleaned up the new bags on the weekend. Under the crud, there was a very clear number 2 on both bags.

I couldnt see any other markings.

Probably doesnt matter too much as both are the same, which is the main thing.


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 8:12 am 
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Should there be pinchweld on the hydro bag brackets?

I originally didnt have the brackets that held the bags in place. After sourcing a pair of used brakets, I noticed there was pinch weld on the bracket. I'm guessing this might be to reduce rattles.


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:09 am 
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Where does that bracket go? I haven't seen one before.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:29 am 
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It is screwed inside the tower below the bag and stops the bag dropping. Shine a torch in there you will see 2 holes.

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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. :mrgreen:


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PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2025 6:32 pm 
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Yes they have pinchweld


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