Brake Master Cylinder Overhaul

[stustag]

Hi Guys

I am trying to overhaul the seals in the brake master cylinder but I can't remember how to remove the stupid washer at the rear of the master cylinder?:?

Why they didn't put a circlip here is beyond me, and I am really frustrated as I have done this job before but about 4 years ago and can't remember what I did to get this washer off!

Stuart

[stustag]

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I have got it off it was like a coil arrangement which needed twisting off from the bottom.

I am now having great difficulty removing the white plastic washer which sits behind the circlip!

Any tips how this comes out as it appears to be stuck fast in there, I have tried using a small dot punch to revolve it a bit and free it off but to now avail!:?

Stuart

[stustag]

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The master cylinder is deceased after all that effort with really bad scoring of the cylinder!

Moral of the story follow the advice in the ROM remove and re fit a new one!

Stuart (Now very skint!)

[DJT]

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stustag wrote:

I am now having great difficulty removing the white plastic washer which sits behind the circlip!

Stuart,

A couple of small self-tappers screwed into the face of the washer allows you to pull it out with pliers. Sounds crude, but is the best way. Hearing of so many repeat failures of brake m/cylinders following rebuild, I don't think I would bother again. I rebuilt one about 15 years ago. It only lasted a few months and eventually fitted a new one. At that time they were available from Partco at about £65 each. They don't seem too expensive at about £135 today, considering they are fairly essential .

Dave

[stustag]

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I agree Dave hopefully I won't have to replace again but if i did I would just buy a new one and have the car working again within a few hours!

BTW James Paddock was the cheapest at £129 + P&P £7.95 Rimmer were over £140!

Stuart

[mad cyclist]

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Hi Stu

i bought a new one from tony hart came with a nice clean bottle and all

well worth it as it took me ages to get the other apart, gave up at the little spring clips that hold the pitonsin!¬

[GDPR]

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Still think the Monarch BMW conversion is the way to go - should you have a dead master cyl in the future, the BM one is cheaper I believe and more plentiful

The cost of the whole conversion kit isn't much more than a replacement Stag cylinder - and you get a better servo

[stustag]

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I have fitted the new master cylinder tonight and just need to bleed the brakes, I normally had my Dadon the inside of the carto operate the brake pedal whilst I loosen and tighten each bleed nipple.

The problem I face this time is my Dad is no longer alive and the boy (9) is to small to help, is there a way of bleeding the brakes without any additional help?:?

I have always achieved a really goodhard brake pedal with my method but I am unsure if another method will give me the same results?

Stuart

[Kevin Garrod]

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I had good results with a Gunson's Eazibleed kit.

[dogsnadgers]

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You can buy a Gunsons eazibleed but you have to modifya spare master cylinder cap as the ones in the eazibleed aren't big enough, or you can buy another Gunsons product that goes on the bleed nipples and stops the fluid going back up the pipes so you can do the filling, pumping and spannering yourself, alternatively borrow your next door neighbour/friend etc to so it for you or take it to the local garage like I did because I couldn't be bothered!

Dave

[Andy Rundell]

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stustag wrote:

I have fitted the new master cylinder tonight and just need to bleed the brakes, I normally had my Dadon the inside of the carto operate the brake pedal whilst I loosen and tighten each bleed nipple.

The problem I face this time is my Dad is no longer alive and the boy (9) is to small to help, is there a way of bleeding the brakes without any additional help?:?

I have always achieved a really goodhard brake pedal with my method but I am unsure if another method will give me the same results?

Stuart

The bleeding techniques usually used are either the manual method you have done in the past or with easi-bleed type equipment.

I don't get on well with easi-bleeds so i use the only other option i know of -to 'pull' the fluid through while bleeding using a hand-held vacumm kit like this (no financial interest etc ) :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sykes-Pickavant-Automotive-Vacuum-Pressure-Test-Kit_W0QQitemZ160228752328QQihZ006QQcategoryZ30922Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I use one that i got in the US last year (for about $40) , but it is the same principle.


be warned - you need to keep the master cylinder toped up, you can pull the fluid through faster than you imagine

cheers.......Andy

[Kevin Garrod]

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Good point, you have to modify a MC lid, I picked one up for £1, well worth it! and I can use the kit on my wife's MG Midget too!

[stustag]

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Thanks guys for the quick reply, I have a spare lid off the old master cylinder so can use this.

I might be able to get SWMBO to help but she may not like me commanding her to go up & go down all the time!

Stuart

[Stagdad]

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The gunson kit Dave mentioned is called "just you " and is a simple pipe with a non return valve .I've always had good results from it.


I've found the eazibleed a bit harsh on the Fluid reservoir






Steve

[Kevin Garrod]

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Stagdad wrote:

I've found the eazibleed a bit harsh on the Fluid reservoir






Steve

How much pressure did you use? I think from memory you should use less than 20 PSI