The book, The Science of Hydraulic Suspension – Stainless Steel Garage Edition,
is like no other lowrider book out there. Considering hydraulics is one of the most
credential parts of Lowriding, it covers only
that. The book was written to help guide
people and give them a better understanding of how a hydraulic suspension
works. Labeling every nut bolt and
washer in this type of system with all the appropriate visual aid makes this
book a winner. With sections from
electrical wiring to bleeding the system to a pump break down and who could
ever miss the bonus section on frequently asked questions. Even the
professionals in the game will agree that there is something for everyone to
take with them after reading it.
The author Richard Coote is a Full time
Tool Designer. He works for a company designing various types of
robotic and manual weld fixtures involving hydraulic and pneumatic components
along with various production dies, molds, and production tooling and automated fixtures. Richard was raised in a mechanical
environment. His father
is a Mechanic and between them they have designed and built many unique projects
other than just lowriders. Helping others and being a perfectionist when
it comes to doing the job right is something he strives for, writing this book
is only one of his many outstanding accomplishments!
To lower your vehicle you need to
release the fluid back to the reservoir. This is called “dumping”. To do this
we use “dumps”. A dump is connected in line any where between the check valve
and the cylinder. When you hit the
switch that powers the dump, a gate opens. The weight of the vehicle will force
fluid back into the reservoir. Example: When the dump is activated (opens),
FLUID EMPTIES the cylinders and lines connected to it and return to the
reservoir. Now the vehicle or part of it is dropping down. Before fluid returns
to the reservoir, it passes through a “slow down valve”. This valve is much
like a water tap faucet. The more it's
closed the slower or less amount of fluid can pass. The slow down valve
controls how fast the fluid returns or the vehicle drops down to the ground. PUMPS, DUMPS and CYLINDERS can be configured in
many different ways. The most common being a two pump set-up with four dumps,
generally configured to have one pump lift both front cylinders and the other
pump lift the rear two cylinders. One dump for each cylinder.
In order to have one side of the vehicle higher than the other with this
set-up, the entire vehicle must be lifted and one side dropped. Be creative
with your set-ups and try new things. The more you try the more successful you
will be at plumbing and understanding hydraulic suspension. Remember, for every
up action you need one pump. Weather it be shared between two or more cylinders
is up to you. And for every down action you need one dump. These also can be
shared.