ABS Accumulator from Overseas

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Originally Posted by samat

So - is there as good Aust based source for the accumulators?

I have just paid for recondition of my WABCO pump by Falconworks in Tucson - what a great bunch they are! At my last comm with Alan, he was at the CAD starting the design of "unobtainable" parts for these pumps. I think he's going to "print" them. Anyway - full reco and freight back to Perth - USD760 or so.

Accumulators - Alan mentioned I could send my accumulator across for testing but easier to test in situ. Should probably replace anyway.

Any links or tips to bleed and flush process? Alan also said he would only reco my pump if I PROMISED to drain and flush brake fluid once a year!

Matt

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You did better than me for the pump - mine cost me AU $1,200 delivered. It was the only one I could find on the web, having completely forgotten about Falconworks. Hopefully DazzaTD5's dad can refurb mine to recoup some of the pump cost.

TRS in Adelaide do a "test" on accumulators they acquire before they onsell them, but I've no idea what that involves - I too now have one sitting here after buying a tested one from them. Don't forget my issue with losing 2 chances to purchase (1 new) because the northern hemisphere transport companies would not move them.

Gavin - I will not forget!

So ... TRS Phil eh? I'll give him a call.

Alan mentioned "easier to test accumulator while in "truck" and advised me against incurring the additional expense of sending to him - no mention of freight restrictions.

They have new on eBay (US) - can we get the same here? Why must they have all the good stuff?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by samat

Gavin - I will not forget!

So ... TRS Phil eh? I'll give him a call.

Alan mentioned "easier to test accumulator while in "truck" and advised me against incurring the additional expense of sending to him - no mention of freight restrictions.

They have new on eBay (US) - can we get the same here? Why must they have all the good stuff?

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Hi Matt. Would be easier to initially ask Kevin at Rovertech about "in situ" accumulator testing. He also strongly recommended changing the ABS relay at the same time! I followed his advice and did it. Kevin has one guy who specialises in older cars - I was very happy with the fitting of my pump and accumulator by him.

It looks like a simple accumulator. There shouldn't be this much cost and effort involved. Citroen have been using accumulators on production cars since the early 1950s (and accumulators as shocker/springs by fitting a simple valve into the head of them).

I can both check and recharge the Citroen accumulators (they are about 1500psi of nitrogen behind a diaphragm). Be VERY WARY of letting brake accumulators get to low. If they get low enough on the "throw away" accumulators fitted to later (post mid 70's citroens) the diaphragm can hit the back of the fitted plug which is sharp. If this happens the diaphragm can rupture .... at which point you fill your brakes with ****loads of nitrogen .............. ie: NO BRAKES!!!!!!

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/att...9&d=1353888156


This is the sphere recharger.... the tester can just be a fitting on the top of a hydraulic jack. Mines an old hydraulic pump and gauge.

if there is no filler plug, you would need to drill and tap for a teconsir filler plug.
https://www.tecnosirstore.com/

seeya
Shane L.

It's clearly a case of incorrect shipping classification and using the wrong agent.

I have bought many pressurized accumulators for Mercedes over the years, from europe and the US and locally, all have arrived, none have ever been confiscated and none of them were cheap.

As a pressure vessel, they have a warning on them, by law. They also have an explosion-proof relief valve mechanism. In the case of the inert gas accumulators with the internal bladder, those too have relief valves.

The last one I purchased in november last year, was for the ASD system on my 16v, and that is 90bar. came in it's normal mercedes box, clearly labelled and arrived here from the MB Classis centre in Irvine CA via FedEx.

No problem when the customs declaration details (and yes they ARE confusing) are correctly filled out. FedEX, UPS and DHL all have mechanisms to transport these parts and do so every single day.

Someone, is being a complete *****, and you might need to make some enquiries.

sometimes an incorrect goods classification will arbitrarily route your otherwise innocuous parcel into the destruction bin. Especially with used automotive equipment and the words BRAKE - which by association invokes asbestos paranoia... even when the component has nothing to do with that or contains any or was ever in the proximity of said prohibited substance.

Hence my statement about correct customs declaration classification.

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Originally Posted by Mercguy

It's clearly a case of incorrect shipping classification and using the wrong agent.

I have bought many pressurized accumulators for Mercedes over the years, from europe and the US and locally, all have arrived, none have ever been confiscated and none of them were cheap.

As a pressure vessel, they have a warning on them, by law. They also have an explosion-proof relief valve mechanism. In the case of the inert gas accumulators with the internal bladder, those too have relief valves.

The last one I purchased in november last year, was for the ASD system on my 16v, and that is 90bar. came in it's normal mercedes box, clearly labelled and arrived here from the MB Classis centre in Irvine CA via FedEx.

No problem when the customs declaration details (and yes they ARE confusing) are correctly filled out. FedEX, UPS and DHL all have mechanisms to transport these parts and do so every single day.

Someone, is being a complete *****, and you might need to make some enquiries.

sometimes an incorrect goods classification will arbitrarily route your otherwise innocuous parcel into the destruction bin. Especially with used automotive equipment and the words BRAKE - which by association invokes asbestos paranoia... even when the component has nothing to do with that or contains any or was ever in the proximity of said prohibited substance.

Hence my statement about correct customs declaration classification.

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None of these accumulators will have a relief valve. Nitrogen is inert, so the pressure will never increase over what it was gassed to. They slowly leak over time as the gas permeates through the diaphragm. The original citroen spheres you can unscrew (they are two halves) and replace the diaphragm. You then recharge it with nitrogen through the filler plug ( a rounded plug with an Oring beneath it sealing it shut).

genuine MB ones have a tiny little EDM relief hole drilled near the shoulder or in the SLS spheres back side . Aftermarket ones are usually covered in matt black paint and blocked, but they are certainly there on the OE parts. You are correct about the permeability - that is how they fail, lack of fluid servicing and excessive hydroscopic ingress.

Still, for their serviceable life, they are quite cheap for what they endure and the task they are designed to perform.

The ASD sphere is different to the SLS, and it's more like a wabco abs booster/accumulator in it's function. It's there to provide hydraulic locking to the differential for traction control. When it is improperly serviced or in poor condition, it can cause quite the fishtail under acceleration on slippery surfaces due to it's late engagement - the sign of failing accumulator.

The citroen spheres are a better longterm design and serviceable.... Germans were not so sensible, just profit hungry.

I ordered a new A/C Compressor & Condenser for my old BMW from same USA supplier . The Condenser turned up yesterday but not the Compressor , so contacted the suppliers to be told it has a clearance delay & showing it has been waiting for clearance for over 2 weeks. Supplier has now thrown it back into mu court to chase it up. It was to be delivered by FedEx , but Condenser was delivered by TNT. Every time I have ordered parts from any were OS & FedEx are involved there is a stuff up, either parts don't arrive or or take forever to arrive & there are parts missing.

^^ TNT is now FedEx - some labelling will still show TNT.

https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fe...uide-en-au.pdf

Anything gas charged or under pressure, even spring loaded is classified Dangerous Goods. Technically they shouldn't confiscate it but if you don't declare it as a DG and they find it your chances of getting it back can be difficult.

Seatbelts with detonator type pretensioners although only a minor charge are under the same classification.

If it goes surface shipping it will be OK however you still need to declare it as it will still need to be shipped in a secure point on the boat.

Basically, if it has the capability to go bang, airfreight is not your friend.