This came up in another thread but it seemed intriguing enough to start a separate thread. Here's what I wrote in the other thread:

Wonder if it's possible to just pressurize the system and seal it up. You'd have to remove the adjustment lever but it seems like it would work without a pump. I know when my main rubber hose broke, everything was copesetic until I stupidly stopped for fuel and the people in the back seat got out, calling for an adjustment which bled off the pressure and then I was sitting at the bottom with no way to get it up.

Has anyone tried this? I know we have threads where people have swapped in standard shocks when they lack a pump due to installation of a non-TD engine. But would it be possible to continue to use the system without a pump as long as it was pressurized?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13