Maintenance Procedures for Hydraulic Perches

Hyperco Hydraulic Perches should last for many seasons of usage with a minimum amount of maintenance.

These perches have four potential enemies: dirt, excessive heat, massive overloading and trapped air. The information below provides a guide for you to get the most out of your purchase.

Dirt

The clearances between the two halves of the perches are very tight – less than .002” – which makes them susceptible to damage from dirt, if neglected for too long. Their smooth and efficient operation is dependent on the walls staying scratch-free.

If your car has its shocks exposed to picking up dirt and debris from the track, we advise that you check the gap between the two halves for any foreign matter after every on-track session. If any is to be found, just spray until clean. Use brake cleaner, mineral spirits, alcohol, or a soap and water solution. Do NOT spray clean with a pressure washer!

If these perches are used in especially dirty environments, it may be possible to “seal” the unit with a wide rubber band to keep the dirt out. The rubber band will most likely work its way off over a period of time, so frequent inspections and adjustments will be necessary. We also manufacture perches with a built-in dirt scraper seal.

Excessive Heat

The recommended maximum operating temperature for the standard seals is 230 degrees Fahrenheit. If normal usage is expected to exceed that upper limit, the seals will need to be changed to Viton. Contact Hyperco for the proper seals for your unit.

Loading

Recommended maximum load for long most units is 4500 pounds. Loads above this can lead to seal damage, and leakage. Some special units are sized for smaller loads – check with Hyperco if you expect loadings above 2000 pounds.

Air Trapped Inside

Air trapped inside of the unit will allow it to collapse slightly once out on the track, causing a loss in ride height. The unit will also lose proper relationship between the two halves, allowing the walls to come in contact with each other, resulting in the unit jamming up and not working as designed. Repeated wall contact will eventually destroy the unit.