Globe replacement with broken accumulator bleed screw

[Bigsky80]

Well like the title says, it's time for me to replace my AHC globes but the bleeder screw on my accumulator is broken off. Am I okay to just bleed the pressure off of each globe? It appears that the accumulator pressure is isolated by the leveling valve when the system is off. I'm just looking for some validation before I send a metal football across the shop.
Cheers,
Scot

 

[CrackedManifold]

I would "think" you can bleed them from the hardline instead (and safer as you won't have a 5lb projectile). At least, that's how I dealt with broken bleeder screws on brake calipers.

 

[Bigsky80]

I would "think" you can bleed them from the hardline instead (and safer as you won't have a 5lb projectile). At least, that's how I dealt with broken bleeder screws on brake calipers.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll keep that in mind. Just to clarify, I can bleed all four globes. I cannot bleed the pressure accumulator.

 

[2001LC]

You can bleed around the height accumulator.

That bleeder, is the thinnest walled we have on 100 series. It often breaks, when bleeder not keep capped.

There's a little trick I use, when this bleeder non useable. While vehicle raising, via AHC. Turn key off, just as vehicle has risen, just before accumulator start charging. Then bleed a rear and a front globes.

What happens, is when vehicle raised via AHC. The height accumulator (HA), release it's pressurize fluid during raise. This is to speed up raise. Otherwise pump would have to do all the work and really slow down the raise. Once vehicle up, we hear pump continue to run, for maybe 20 second. This is to recharge the accumulator. By turning IG OFF, before HA recharges. We have much of that old fluid outside of HA body. Where we can then, bleed off from globes. We don't get as much as if HA bleeder working. But helps get more old fluid out of system.

 

[Bigsky80]

You can bleed around the height accumulator.

That bleeder, is the thinnest walled we have on 100 series. It often breaks, when bleeder not keep capped.

There's a little trick I use, when this bleeder non useable. While vehicle raising, via AHC. Turn key off, just as vehicle has risen, just before accumulator start charging. Then bleed a rear and a front globes.

What happens, is when vehicle raised via AHC. The height accumulator (HA), release it's pressurize fluid during raise. This is to speed up raise. Otherwise pump would have to do all the work and really slow down the raise. Once vehicle up, we hear pump continue to run, for maybe 20 second. This is to recharge the accumulator. By turning IG OFF, before HA recharges. We have much of that old fluid outside of HA body. Where we can then, bleed off from globes. We don't get as much as if HA bleeder working. But helps get more old fluid out of system.

That is very helpful. I think that is the route I will go as it would be nice to mostly bleed the system.

 

[emiliobarbarigo]

You can bleed around the height accumulator.

That bleeder, is the thinnest walled we have on 100 series. It often breaks, when bleeder not keep capped.

There's a little trick I use, when this bleeder non useable. While vehicle raising, via AHC. Turn key off, just as vehicle has risen, just before accumulator start charging. Then bleed a rear and a front globes.

What happens, is when vehicle raised via AHC. The height accumulator (HA), release it's pressurize fluid during raise. This is to speed up raise. Otherwise pump would have to do all the work and really slow down the raise. Once vehicle up, we hear pump continue to run, for maybe 20 second. This is to recharge the accumulator. By turning IG OFF, before HA recharges. We have much of that old fluid outside of HA body. Where we can then, bleed off from globes. We don't get as much as if HA bleeder working. But helps get more old fluid out of system.

could you explain this a little more? my HCA bleeder is broken off and i want to change the globes and redo the fluid.

The regular advice is to put the car in LOW and the bleed, are you saying I should put it in low, then put it back to normal and then turn it off once it gets to normal quickly?

 

[2001LC]

I re-read what I wrote, about flushing around height accumulator. Seems clear to me. For further clarification:
While AHC raising vehicle. From L to N or N to H. Stop pump, just as vehicle, has raised, to next level. Even stopping, just before fully raised, is fine. Play with it. Trick is to not let pump, continue running, after the raise to next level completed. That is the time vehicle, is at next level up, but yet, we still hear pump motor running. Which is when, height accumulator is recharged. This way, fluid is out of hieght accumulator and in lines & controller. Flush globes again. Which does require, a bit more than we get with one 2.5L can of AHC fluid.

I flush and bleed from H. Why? less fluid is reservoir to suck out. Also easier to see bleeders.

1. Open rear bleeder DS. Drain and close.
2. Open front bleeder DS. Drain & Close
3. I suck remaining fluid from reservoir. Then pour in a fresh 2.5L can of AHC fluid.
4. Turn IG key to ON. Set AHC to L. Start engine. Stand back, close doors and let vehicle raise to L.
5. Flush is done.

Now flush around accumulators busted bleeder, with your new fresh fluid in lines:

1. From either L or N. Open door, set to Next level up (N or H). Start engine. Press door indicator button or close door, so door pushes in door indicator button.
2. Just before fully raised to next level (N or H). Stop pump, by, release button or open door. Turn IG key off.
3. Re drain (flush) rear and front DS globes.
4. Open door. Turn IG key ON. Set AHC to L. Start engine. Close door. Stand back and let raise to L. Watching fluid level in reservoir (place a flashlight behind it, to see level better). Do no let reservoir run dry.
5. Open door. Set AHC to N. Closed door. Stand back and watch reservoir level as vehicle raise to N. Do no let reservoir run dry. Top reservoir as needed.
6. Turn off engine.

You'll have about 2L left in your second 2.5L can of AHC fluid. So repeat flushing around accumulator if you like,. Or save fluid. Your call.