Re: Hydraulic Question..

[rdh@sli.com (Robert D. Houk)]

   The easy test for an OK accumulator is to (with the engine off) depress

Ha, for wimps!

The RealMan(tm)'s test is to scream down the highway and hit the brakes
hard and fast. If nothing happens, your accumulator is toast. 

The actual sequence is usually more along the line of:

    normal driving, brakes seem just fine thank you;

    ***hole pulls in front of you / kid runs into street / airplane crash-
    lands on the highway in front of you / etc. / and so forth;

    you stand on the brakes;

    nothing happens;

    assorted sphincter muscles loosen and/or contract spasmodically;

    you *STAND ON THE BRAKES*;

    along about this time, the main hydraulic pump has managed to pump
    enough fluid through enough tubes, hoses, valves, and assorted ori-
    fices to engage the brakes (elapsed time maybe 1/2 second...),
    which, with your now STANDING on the brakes, lock up all four wheels
    (if pre-ABS...);

    wreaking further havoc with your various sphincter muscles, mean-
    while proving vastly entertaining to all the traffic around you.

					-RDH