Val Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 Yesterday as I was doing laps around the local roads in the Saracen Mk1 to give it a once over, I slammed on the brakes to test the stopping power and the sound of loud leaking air and splatters filled the air as I lost brakes and steering and eventually rolled to a stop, thankfully in my good sense I was testing on an industrial estate with big wide roads and no traffic on sundays. I got out and saw basically all the oil from the system leaking from near the rear right hand side wheel, on closer inspection the steel coiled pipe had a cracked along it. Brakes have always been perfect since I had the accumulators, the only difference today was that I noticed the oil tank was running low so I topped it up with mineral oil equivalent to OM13. I was only about half a mile from the parking lot so did a temporary fix, I wrapped in countless layers of duct tape and then a couple of wide jubilee/hoser clips, put some oil in and drove it back, it just about worked. So two questions really, could this have happened because I put too much oil in? And where can I get a replacement pipe? I've been through the manuals and tech repairs, but I can't find my parts list so I was wondering if anyone knew the part number? It is the steel hydraulic cable that goes to the rear right hand side wheel brake. Thanks guys. I think I should have brought a Nissan Bluebird over a Saracen, much more reliable lol. Quote
Marmite!! Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 I happened because they are old & perished... Time to replace ALL your hoses.. I use Abbey Hose in Grays... Unit 1, Trading Estate, Motherwell Way, Grays, Essex, RM20 3XD, UK (01708) 686600 Take your hoses in & they will make you new ones while you wait.... Quote
Val Posted August 25, 2008 Author Posted August 25, 2008 Damn, are they expensive? I dread to think of how many hoses there are in a Saracen. Quote
Richard Farrant Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 Damn, are they expensive? I dread to think of how many hoses there are in a Saracen. You will be better off to call Richard Banister, on 01797 253211 (working hours), he will have the proper hoses, and I would say, probably cheaper than having one-offs made. If it is any consulation, it has happened to me twice on different Saracens, not moving on either occasion, just charged the accumulaters, engine not running and foot on and off the brakes to relieve system pressure.........big whoosh :-D...and oil everywhere Quote
Marmite!! Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 I had the lot made for the Fox, 6 hoses in stainless over-braid, for £115.00 a lot cheaper than the dealers were quoting... Quote
Val Posted August 25, 2008 Author Posted August 25, 2008 Cheers guys, I will call both. I'm guessing the accumulators will need charging again too? Quote
Nick Johns Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) Yesterday as I was doing laps around the local roads in the Saracen Mk1 to give it a once over, I slammed on the brakes to test the stopping power and the sound of loud leaking air and splatters filled the air as I lost brakes and steering and eventually rolled to a stop, thankfully in my good sense I was testing on an industrial estate with big wide roads and no traffic on sundays. I got out and saw basically all the oil from the system leaking from near the rear right hand side wheel, on closer inspection the steel coiled pipe had a cracked along it. . Just as well the brakes failed whilst testing, imagine the damage and mayhem you'd have caused first time you needed to stop in a real emergency, you could have been held liable too if the rest of the pipes were found to be in poor condition, it just shows how important it is to throughly inspect the braking system, Edited August 25, 2008 by Nick Johns Quote
Tony B Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 An old mechanic I knew used to say 'A bugger if they won't go, a real disaster if they won't stop'. you owe your gaurdian angel a large drink. Quote
Val Posted September 1, 2008 Author Posted September 1, 2008 While I was at the Saracen today draining all of the fluid, I wondered round to the shops for a Mars bar and noticed a huge building with a hydraulics sign 2 minutes away, so I popped in, they're now making me replicas of all six hoses and fixings and 25litres of ISO10 for £150. Very friendly too Quote
Tony B Posted September 2, 2008 Posted September 2, 2008 Funny you never notice whats on your own doorstep. Good result though! Quote
Poptopshed Posted September 2, 2008 Posted September 2, 2008 We are slowly replacing the crane hoses on Grumpys Militant. Had a couple go now. Luckily the ends are the re-useable type so we have purchased a length of hose and can fix any problem hose very quickly. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.