austin metro

Hi,

I can buy a 1989 Austin Metro car. The Haynes manual I saw, mentions the need for consultation of a Rover dealer when the suspension system needs to be filled up, or when work on the suspension is needed and the system has to be depressurized.

Regarding the situation around the Rover make, is it unwise to get this car??

Are many problems to be expected with the Hydragas system (leakage)??

These cars are scarce here, breakers yards don't have them...

Thanks, rob NL

Reply to
rill2
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you can build your own pump up unit from a grease gun. depressurizing is only letting the fluid out. the fluid is a mix of good antifreeze and water or order a gallon of the real stuff. the only common leak is if a unit fails, new ones are very expensive, but it would be worth sending to the uk for one. don't be scared by the suspension, it is generally very reliable. measure from wheel centre to wheelarch edge, it should be a bout 12 and a half inches.

mrcheerful

Reply to
mrcheerful

## Can you describe how??

## and alcohol (!) (says Haynes)

## I have the distances on record here (Haynes(

rob

Reply to
rill2

You need to obtain a screw on connector for the Schrader valve, that is the only difficult part, the grease gun container needs to be stripped out and the connector on a flexible hose needs to be put on in place of the normal grease pipe. In uk there are firms sell the grease gun pump ready made for about 80 pounds, but you can make your own if you can sort out the valve connector, try a hydraulics shop.

mrcheerful

Reply to
mrcheerful

I'm sure you could. But they don't have the exhilirating performance of a Daf 66 and I'm sure you'd only be disappointed. The Metro just isn't a very good car!

This doesn't need doing very often and I'm sure there's somewhere reasonably local that looks after Minis and will have the right sort of pump. Some enthusiasts have their own pumps, either bought as surplus garage equipment, or home-made from a failry simple hand pump.

Reply to
Andy Dingley

This site is helpful, even though it's American:

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Reply to
Chris Bolus

snipped-for-privacy@verwijderdit.nl realised it was Sun, 08 May 2005 20:57:24 GMT and decided it was time to write:

IMHO it's unwise to get this car - never mind the Rover situation.

There are many problems to be expected, not just with the suspension.

If you're really desperate to get this car, you should be prepared to spend time, money and effort in keeping it on the road. The Rover situation is not your biggest problem, if it's a problem at all. The fact MGR went titsup doesn't mean all maintenance abilities and expertise have suddenly evaporated.

I'm no expert, so others will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the original Mini was at one time equipped with some form of Hydragas suspension. In that case, you'll find many Dutch clubs and specialists on

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who will be able to help you.

Reply to
Yippee

Though it's not a car I'd buy (I'm no fan of small hatchbacks) they're not all that bad. The facelifted late 80's models are better than the early ones, and better than the later Rover-badged 100s in many ways. The engine is an A+, essentially the same as a Mini engine, which while unsophisticated is well-suited to DIY maintenance and doesn't suffer from the problems the K-series is supposed to have. As regards the Rover situation, parts will be plentiful for a long time yet - many mechanical parts are shared with the Mini, and England isn't that far from the Netherlands for body panels!

It was known as hydrolastic but it's the same system.

Reply to
Chris Bolus

Thank you Chris for this extremely helpful link!

rob NL

Reply to
rill2

You think I should be better off in buying a Golf IV???? ;-) Yor're making me depressed!

rob NL

Reply to
rill2

I think you'd be better off with a Skoda !

A rear-engined Skoda.

Reply to
Andy Dingley

No money, thinking about fantasy projects is as far as it gets. When it's all on paper/in your head, the budget is easy.

Thinking about how to push things to the limit is fun, one day I will build it.

Reply to
Sleeker GT Phwoar

The metro is an inspired choice and highly under rated (just watch the posting ridicule roll in from that statement) As long as you keep an eye on the rot and the Hydragas you will have yourself a simple to maintain, very roomy for it's size (unless you have one of the sporty models 'cos the front seats in these take up a lot of room) and brilliant handling. The handling gets even better with the Rover badged ones as they then linked up the Hydragas as one for all four wheels. The main annoyance you'll have is that they never gave the A+ engined ones a 5speed box and also the Mini style seating position takes some getting used to. The Rover GTi version is VERY fast, point to point!

Ken

'88 Saab 900 Turbo8 Intercooler '97 Saab 9000 Turbo16 CSE

Reply to
Ken Shilcock

Ken Shilcock ( snipped-for-privacy@lboro.ac.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

ITYF you mis-spelt "insipid"

Who, Sir? Me, Sir?

Reply to
Adrian

the early ones had independent front gas and cross linked rear, the later ones have front linked to back each side, the late ones have proper type lower suspension arms at the front, otherwise all is much the same, suspension wise. the k engines are prone to head gasket fails.

mrcheerful

Reply to
mrcheerful

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