[xj40] 1989 XJ6 Brake Accumulator Sphere

I have searched the archives for a less expensive replacement for
the brake accumulator sphere on my 1989 XJ6 and have found a couple
of solutions in the archives:

  1. A retro fitted BWM part but the site the thread directs me to
    is gone and the parts that I find on other sites are as expensive
    as the Jaguar part so this appears to be a bad idea.

  2. A company called Fawcett Christie Hydraulics in the UK that I
    contacted and who referred me to Motion Industries who didn’t have
    the part and they referred me to OILAIR HYDRAULICS in Texas and
    they referred met to Brendsen Fluid Power and they are not sure
    they can get the part but are checking.

I have just replaced the accumulator sphere in my 1989 XJ-S and
used a Buick Reatta part that matched specs and size perfectly and
now I wonder if I can find an adapter to make it fit the XJ6.
Would the difference in the specifications matter and be safe.
Specifically the pressure rating on the XJ-S sphere is 210 Bar
while the XJ6 is only 160 so the extra pressure capacity would seem
to be ok. The volume on the XJ-S sphere is 0.25 Liters while the
volume of the XJ6 accumulator is 0.30 Liters so this might be an
issue.

Here are my questions for the forum:

  1. Am I correct in assuming that the additional pressure capacity
    of 210 Bar compared to 160 Bar is ok or is this a problem?

  2. Would the difference in the volume capacity of the spheres of
    0.05 Liters be an problem?

Thoughts Please???
Thanks–
87 H&E XJ-S + 89 XJ-S + 89 XJ6
Long Beach, CA, United States
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In reply to a message from BobboSD sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

Bob,
I just replaced the sphere in my recently purchased 90 with
58,000 miles. Got one from AC-Direct.com (no affiliation).
Item # 25528382 for $90.36 plus shipping. I have heard it
to be an acceptable replacement, the physical size was the
same as I removed which I believe to be the orginal.–
The original message included these comments:

I have searched the archives for a less expensive replacement for
the brake accumulator sphere on my 1989 XJ6 and have found a couple
of solutions in the archives:


Larry M. McKinley 87 XJ6 90XJ6
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The 1990 car has a totally different ABS system to the earlier '86-89 car,
the ABS sphere is also different. I suspect the 90 onwards part is the part
being spoken of however

Stewart----- Original Message -----
From: “Larry McKinley” brgkat@aol.com
To: xj40@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: [xj40] 1989 XJ6 Brake Accumulator Sphere

In reply to a message from BobboSD sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

Bob,
I just replaced the sphere in my recently purchased 90 with
58,000 miles. Got one from AC-Direct.com (no affiliation).
Item # 25528382 for $90.36 plus shipping. I have heard it
to be an acceptable replacement, the physical size was the
same as I removed which I believe to be the orginal.


The original message included these comments:

I have searched the archives for a less expensive replacement for
the brake accumulator sphere on my 1989 XJ6 and have found a couple
of solutions in the archives:


Larry M. McKinley 87 XJ6 90XJ6
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services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On
Line Books and more !

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In reply to a message from Ford Prefect sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

I was going to make the same point as Stewart. Checking back in the
archives it would appear that the GM / '93 Buick Reatta / AC-
direct.com part 25528382 is a straight replacement for the
accumulator ball (JLM 1907?) on the Teves equipped cars from '90
onwards.

That begs the question - has anyone found a cheap(er) straight
replacement for the non-Teves pre-'90 accumulator spheres (JLM
10546?)? There was some discussion on these lists about
substituting a BMW sphere but two things are against that IIRC. One
is that the BMW item has an M18 x 1.5 thread whereas the Jag sphere
has an M16 x 1.5 thread. The other is that the BMW sphere for use
with mineral oil (e.g. HSMO) part number 34 33 1 162 055 costs just
about as much as the Jag version - and you still have to convert
the thread on the accumulator base (JLM 10779?) to M18. I believe
the BMW sphere for use with ATF - same part number but with a 054
suffix - is much cheaper but I guess should not be used in an HSMO
system?–
The original message included these comments:

The 1990 car has a totally different ABS system to the earlier '86-89 car,
the ABS sphere is also different. I suspect the 90 onwards part is the part
being spoken of however


Bryan N ('91 Sovereign 4.0 L)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Bryan,
You are exactly correct. The Teves accumulator for the '90+ is a
different item and even located in a different place.
Two years ago we went 'round and 'round on this issue. We on the list tried
other car manufacturers. I believe you went and met with Pleides in
Cambridge who repairs the units. We even searched accumulator spheres for
other industries. All of this was to no avail.
Some on the list used a BMW unit with great success, but they had to
drill and re-tap the mount in order to adapt the threads to fit the valve
block. I found this to be something I was unwilling to do as braking
ability to me needs not be compromised.
At the time, the rate of exchange was much more kind to Americans than
it is now. I paid $116.40USD including shipping for the accumulator out of
Australia. Today the same item is around $250+USD including shipping.
Currently, we are researching a vacuum system to replace the hydraulics.
Response from the manufacturer has not been impressive, but I will let you
know if we hear anything.

Clark
'88 XJ40
'67 420
'67 S-Type----- Original Message -----
From: “Bryan N” sophistic@btopenworld.com
To: xj40@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 5:18 AM
Subject: Re: [xj40] 1989 XJ6 Brake Accumulator Sphere

In reply to a message from Ford Prefect sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

I was going to make the same point as Stewart. Checking back in the
archives it would appear that the GM / '93 Buick Reatta / AC-
direct.com part 25528382 is a straight replacement for the
accumulator ball (JLM 1907?) on the Teves equipped cars from '90
onwards.

That begs the question - has anyone found a cheap(er) straight
replacement for the non-Teves pre-'90 accumulator spheres (JLM
10546?)? There was some discussion on these lists about
substituting a BMW sphere but two things are against that IIRC. One
is that the BMW item has an M18 x 1.5 thread whereas the Jag sphere
has an M16 x 1.5 thread. The other is that the BMW sphere for use
with mineral oil (e.g. HSMO) part number 34 33 1 162 055 costs just
about as much as the Jag version - and you still have to convert
the thread on the accumulator base (JLM 10779?) to M18. I believe
the BMW sphere for use with ATF - same part number but with a 054
suffix - is much cheaper but I guess should not be used in an HSMO
system?

The original message included these comments:

The 1990 car has a totally different ABS system to the earlier '86-89
car,
the ABS sphere is also different. I suspect the 90 onwards part is the
part
being spoken of however


Bryan N ('91 Sovereign 4.0 L)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On
Line Books and more !

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In reply to a message from BobboSD sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

Can’t see that fitting the accumulator sphere with the higher
nitrogen charge pressure would present a problem as regards system
pressure. The charge switch in the accumulator base cuts out when
the oil pressure reaches 100 Bar so that governs the maximum system
pressure, not the nitrogen charge pressure.

Of course, the higher nitrogen charge pressure behind the diaphragm
in the XJ-S sphere will not allow the same volume of oil in to the
accumulator before it reaches 100 Bar and shuts off the charge
switch which may or may not be a problem. The extra volume of the
original XJ6 sphere may have been for a purpose and the fact that
it will also allow a greater volume of oil in to the sphere before
the 100 Bar cut off is achieved may be significant.–
The original message included these comments:

Here are my questions for the forum:

  1. Am I correct in assuming that the additional pressure capacity
    of 210 Bar compared to 160 Bar is ok or is this a problem?
  2. Would the difference in the volume capacity of the spheres of
    0.05 Liters be an problem?
    Thoughts Please???


Bryan N ('91 Sovereign 4.0 L)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Hi all,
I found a Ford sphere from a “Scorpio” that fitted my 88 xjs.
Later Fords might be worth a try!
regards
Tom

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In reply to a message from BobboSD sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

If you decide to go with a OEM accumulator after all you might have
a look at this:
http://www.jagads.com/dad.php?aid=8222--
sgfinpa
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Hmmm, that looks EXACTLY like the one I just bought for 86 bucks from
gmpartsdirect.

Fits the '90. Don’t know about the '89

Dave-----Original Message-----
In reply to a message from BobboSD sent Sat 28 Feb 2004:

If you decide to go with a OEM accumulator after all you might have
a look at this:
http://www.jagads.com/dad.php?aid=8222

sgfinpa

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In reply to a message from sgfinpa sent Sun 29 Feb 2004:

[I have searched the archives for a less expensive replacement for the brake accumulator sphere on my 1989 XJ6 and have found a couple of solutions in the archives:]

Hi Listers, years ago when I owned a couple of Citroens, I’d simply
have the spheres regassed with nitrogen. This was accepted practice
by Citroen buffs. Eventually of course the diaphram would need
replacement.

Surely in a country as big as the USA or UK you could find places
that would do this for you. I suggest you contact some Citroen
enthusiasts.

Regards

Peter (Australia)–
MARK IX, E type, SI XJ Manual, MARK II, XJ40
newcastle new south wales, Australia
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In reply to a message from paithre sent Mon 1 Mar 2004:

Peter,

As has been mentioned in previous posts, Pleiades [‘‘The Citroen
Hydraulic Specialists’’ - www.pleiades.uk.com] in Cambridge,
England will do just that.

Don’t know of a similar facility in the US though. Did the US ever
import enough Citroens to warrant setting up such a facility?–
The original message included these comments:

Hi Listers, years ago when I owned a couple of Citroens, I’d simply
have the spheres regassed with nitrogen. This was accepted practice
by Citroen buffs. Eventually of course the diaphram would need
replacement.
Surely in a country as big as the USA or UK you could find places
that would do this for you. I suggest you contact some Citroen
enthusiasts.
Peter (Australia)


Bryan N ('91 Sovereign 4.0 L)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from David Hurlston sent Mon 1 Mar 2004:

Yes that is the same part for the 89 XJ-S forward and 90 XJ6
forward. The 89 XJ6 takes a different part. I contacted the
seller to confirm.

Looks like the OEM part on eBay at $175 + shipping is going to be
the least expensive and easiest way to effect this repair.

Thanks to all for the help!
Bob–
The original message included these comments:

Hmmm, that looks EXACTLY like the one I just bought for 86 bucks from
gmpartsdirect.
Fits the '90. Don’t know about the '89
If you decide to go with a OEM accumulator after all you might have
a look at this:
Classifieds - Jag-lovers Forums


87 H&E XJ-S + 89 XJ-S + 89 XJ6
Long Beach, CA, United States
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In reply to a message from Bryan N sent Mon 1 Mar 2004:

I emailed Pleiades and here is their response:

Dear Bob
We need your accumulator to overhaul. The cost would be �40 plus
�28.35 carriage.
Regards
Tamzyn

This is about $125 US plus the cost and time to ship my old part to
them and I would still have an old bladder so a new part is
probably worth the extra money as mine the original that came with
the car.

Thanks
Bob–
The original message included these comments:

As has been mentioned in previous posts, Pleiades [‘‘The Citroen
Hydraulic Specialists’’ - www.pleiades.uk.com] in Cambridge,
England will do just that.


87 H&E XJ-S + 89 XJ-S + 89 XJ6
Long Beach, CA, United States
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In reply to a message from BobboSD sent Sat 6 Mar 2004:

Bob,

That shipping cost is a no-no for the Pleiades solution.

I think if I were in your situation I would go the Pete Crosby /
Eric van Ruissen route and fit the …054 BMW sphere after tapping
out the hole to M18 x 1.5. (but leave a note on a tag wired to the
accumulator body to tell the next owner what you have done!)–
The original message included these comments:

I emailed Pleiades and here is their response:
We need your accumulator to overhaul. The cost would be �40 plus
�28.35 carriage.


Bryan N ('91 Sovereign 4.0 L)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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