I need to replace the accumulator on my 1988 XJ40. Is it necessary to remove
the whole accumulator assembly (switches, pipes, etc.) or can the ball be
replaced with the unit still attached.
Thanks for the help,
Bill
Bill,
I need to replace the accumulator on my 1988 XJ40. Is it necessary to
remove
the whole accumulator assembly (switches, pipes, etc.) or can the ball be
replaced with the unit still attached.
It may be possible to unthread the accumulator while the assembly is still
“mounted” to the car, but since you have to loosen the strap clamp around the
accumulator sphere, and since this secures the entire assembly, you will have
to manage to hold the valve body securely somehow while unthreading the
accumulator sphere with a strap-type filter wrench, all the while putting no
stress on the hydraulic lines that thread into the valve body (very risky
IMO).
Besides loosening the strap clamp, you only need to undo the two hydraulic
hoses and the electrical connector for the switches to remove the entire
assembly. Not too hard. Use a flare-nut style wrench if you have one (I
think these are 11mm but my memory may be faulty). Mount the valve body in a
bench vise between two pieces of wood for protection, and it’s a simple
matter to unthread the accumulator with a filter wrench. If you don’t have a
bench vise, a pipe clamp or pipe wrench on the valve body would probably work
(with wood to protect the valve body).
While you have the valve body out, you might want to remove the 22mm nut that
one of the hydraulic lines and polish its inner surface. This is the surface
the non-return valve seats against, and it’s prone to developing ridges that
can lead to pressure loss. Use 600, 800 and 1200 grit wet & dry sandpaper on
a piece of tempered glass to get a nice flat surface on the nut.
Don
'88 XJ6 123K
Bill, the accumulator can be removed without removing the whole unit. The way
I did it was remove the wheel, the lower plastic cover, not forgetting to de
pressurize first. Grip the accumulator with one of those oil filter wrenches,
hold the unit with a large pair of channel locks, (big pliers for the Brits)
and unscrew it, it shouldn’t be too tight. Takes about an hour. Glenn 89VDP