Suspension hydraulic accumulator: replacement and selection

When and why suspension hydraulic accumulator needs replacement

A suspension hydraulic accumulator has no specified lifetime limit. The component is to be replaced if the diaphragm is damaged. Exceeding maximum allowable load of the vehicle and regular operation of the car in off-road conditions lead to this.

Defects of the suspension hydraulic accumulator can be indicated by worsened road-holding ability, excessively stiff suspension and appearance of bubbles and foam in the working fluid tank. Moreover, level of fluid in the system drops, while there are no traces of leakage under the car or on its components. Most often, malfunction is followed by activation of hydraulic suspension warning light on the dashboard.

Replacement of the suspension hydraulic accumulator should be performed at a service station. Suspension servicing includes work with pressurized elements and requires high qualification. Before starting the work specialists will set a safe pressure level, and after installation of the component they will estimate the hydraulic fluid quantity, and top it up if necessary, as well as adjust the pressure on the car axles.

When one suspension hydraulic accumulator is broken, check all similar parts in the system or on the axle, in order to perform full replacement if necessary.

How to select suspension hydraulic accumulator

Suspension hydraulic accumulators differ by function and mounting location. For example, there are components which are mounted on front or rear suspension valve blocks. Their function is to replenish level of fluid in suspension struts when valves are opened. Also a hydraulic suspension can be fitted with a return flow pressure reservoir, mounted near the pump. It has smaller capacity and serves for balancing of pressure variations, when fluid exits the struts. Described parts are identical by design but can vary in capacity and inner pressure.

Your safety and that of other road users depends on your car’s stability, which can be assured only by high-quality components. Reliable suspension hydraulic accumulators are produced by such manufacturers as Swag, Febi Bilstein, Bosch, Monroe, Textar, etc.

When purchasing take into account the part of the suspension the hydraulic accumulator is intended for, and also check if its capacity and inner pressure correspond to standard values for the specific car model. Also, the part has to be compatible by thread parameters and outer diameter.