I've got around to the last of the cosmetic improvements to my Saracen, namely the drivers hatch. The hydraulics have never fully lifted the inner flap presumably due to a lack of fluid. There are also signs of historic hydraulic leakage near the ram. So I have several questions:
1. What hydraulic fluid should I use?
2. Where is the filler, there are three allen bolts on the top of the pump/reservoir, I have unscrewed the one on the left in the photo and the one near the handle, is this where I fill from?
3. Is there any need to bleed the system, if so from where?
4. With regard the ram, it may be that it would benefit from a change of seal(s), is this possible. There is what appears to be a non removable circlip at the top, should it be possible to strip the ram?
I also managed to remove the centre vision block which was knackered (I have a replacement one to fit). Since this was rusted in, the technique I used was to smash each of the 8 layers of glass in turn and once all the glass was removed I was able to collapse the outer frame of the vision block and remove it. In front of the vision block set into the armour is a separate piece of glass, I was very please that I had not broken this whilst smashing my way through the vision block.
Much to my annoyance, when I went back to the vehicle a few days later a crack had appeared down the middle of this piece of glass.
Does anyone know if this piece of glass is available, I have tried Richard Banister but he can't help
Nic