Triumph 2000 brakes

[Andrew S]

Just thought I would asked before buying my father some parts but there is a serious problem with his brakes to the point he shouldn't drive it

From cold and without engine started, the pedal is not at the top and feels spongy. Start the engine and the peal can go to the floor unless pumped up. He has not lo9st any fluid and I cant see any splits in the servo pipework and there is no hissing from the servo.

Am I correct in saying its the master cylinder?

Is a single hydraulic system, not dual like the Stag but the servo looks the same but has a different part number

Cheers
Andrew

[V Mad]

It might just be air that needs bleeding out, but if the hydraulics are old, its probably best to buy a new m/cylinder, the single circuit ones are quite cheap I would think. I would also renew slave cylinders as well - cheap again but a bit of a pain to replace.

[Andrew S]

Cheers Chris
This is the brake master cylinder and they are difficult to get and not cheap as Rimmers want £258 !!!!!!!

Andrew

[V Mad]

I would have thought that if they are rare, then you could get them resleeved in stainless. Maybe check with Chris Witor, to see what he offers.

I know a chap, Mike who lives in the next street. He has several Tr2000 cars, and piles of spares. He may be able to help if you cant find a reasonable source.

[Gresley]

Hi Andrew

Seal kits are available for the 2000 and they are very easy to change, though if the master cylinder bore is scored it may not last. I have put new seals in my 2000 and my PI and both have been successful. Parts for these cars are getting mega rare

http://www.chriswitor.com/products.php?cat=249&pg=2

Or this may help... http://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=GMC203C


Brian.

[Andrew S]

Cheers Brian, very helpful

[Andrew S]

Last weekend we replaced the seals in the brake master cylinder and the brakes were fantastic and easy to lock them up if provoked. Since then he has driven it and twice it has done it again when the pedal has almost gone to the floor but could be pumped up. When engine is off, the brakes are right at the top and rock hard and work normally when warm but just on a couple of occasions, they have played up.

My thoughts at the moment is that it could be the non return valve on the servo sticking in the open position and when braking it can only take what the engine can give at the time, hence the brake travel.

If you rest you foot on the pedal, it doesn't sink and we are not losing any fluid. He has a Stag too and I was wondering if he should swap the valves over to test, but its hassle

Could theory be right?

Its not a duel system like the Stag and we bled the entire system and using DOT 4

Its very strange and disconcerting

Thanks
Sndrew

[73stagman]

I had a similar problem with my Spitfire and it scared the s*** out of me in the Isle of Wight going down hill in the middle of a Triumph car train

I think there is supposed to be a wavy washer behind the main piston seal and I believe this was missing on my master cylinder. I know its not included in any seal kit but I changed the cylinder... it wasn't that expensive from a supplier in Scotland I think.... and the problem disappeared but I never took the new one apart to see if the wavy washer was in there.

I think if it is not there the fluid can just by pass the piston seal and return to the reservoir... hence no leak

Have had a look at the break down picture and the Spitty single line system is supposed to have this wavy washer in the bottom end of the seal and spring arrangement. I cant remember exactly what made me think it was that that was missing ...probably because it wasn't there! as it is as its six years ago now

[Andrew S]

There was a wavy washer and it was included I the kit so it was put in the same place and looked the same.

I am still thinking its the servo valve and that there is no build up of vacumn except that that is produced as the time of braking by the engine and its just not enough

[73stagman]

Except that if you lose the vacuum assist the pedal will be harder to push not easier

[Andrew S]

That's true Neil.
If their are no leaks and pedal pressure with the engine off rock hard, how can the pedal drop and brake become less efficient with the engine running.