Master cylinder woes

[mike@thenook]

Back in May I bought a new brake master cylinder from Robsport as mine had after 26 years decided to start leaking, I knew the fluid was going somewhere..

So last week took a look inside the servo with my little usb camera and found quite a lot of fluid inside so thought best to get a new servo too, duly ordered a recon one from Robsport and today decided to tackle the job of replacing them both.

All went well until I filled the reservoir with fluid and then went off for a quick sandwich before starting the bleeding process. To my horror fluid was leaking out of the reservoir at the base and it almost looked like it was calming through the wall of the reservoir maybe through a hairline crack. Bearing in mind this is a new TRW unit I didn’t expect this at all but just annoying that such a leak couldn’t be detected without the unit being bolted up.

So, I’ve taken it off now ready to ship back to Rob’s for a replacement along with the old servo which has to go back anyway as it’s a recon exchange until.

I know Rob’s will be fine about it, I always get good service from them and of course, they would have no idea the unit is faulty as it arrives in a sealed bag inside a sealed box.

Not the best start to the year!

Cheers,

Mike

6A3B2661-8EC7-4E81-A07B-F84D4AEA55E4.jpeg

[NeilR]

Annoying indeed.

Can't they just send you another reservoir, rather than having to remove the entire M/Cyl.

Neil

[sujitroy]

the resevior is bolted down. I recall there are small O rings between it and the base. is it leaking there. either way a new unit should not leak. at 54 years old getting down in the foot well to remove it is no joke

[mike@thenook]

Having looked I feel sure it must be cracked as it’s coming from above the bolt holding down the reservoir, I wondered about the seals but being new and I can see from the inside there are seals fitted I don’t think it can be them - unless one is split of course.
I managed to get the master cylinder off without removing the whole servo I’d just fitted, just wasted a reservoir full of fluid....
I’m sure Rob’s will send a new unit as they’ll want to see what’s caused the problem rather than me fiddle with it more.
Totally agree about fitting the servo though, trying to get to the top left (on mine) nut is not easy plus you have to release the clutch master cylinder a bit to allow English room to get the servo out.
Not a job I ever want to tackle again!

Cheers

[jbuckl]

A sorry situation... but seems pretty normal these days.
Need to make an approach about very inappropriate front springs recently supplied. Feel your pain.

[MandM]

Had the same make MC leak from a different place and supplier in 2012, seems to be as said, fit twice+ before you get good componets

2nd master cylinder fitted.docx

[mike@thenook]

Had the same make MC leak from a different place and supplier in 2012, seems to be as said, fit twice+ before you get good componets

[ATTACH]n811339[/ATTACH]

That's not very comforting!

It must be down to terrible build quality and I suspect Chinese made and supplied parts to TRW.

I hope the second one comes up leak free or its going to be case of getting a Wards one I think which they have the original type stainless steel lined - you get what you pay for I guess....

Cheers,

[MandM]

Yes it's been fine, but have kept the original as you can get them sleeved in bury st Edmunds

[mike@thenook]

That's a good idea - who in Bury does it?

I'm thinking now having at LD's pages they also sell the TRW ones but they make mention of the spacers that fit where each bolt goes that hold the the reservoir to the body - they say that if they are the wrong length they can distort the reservoir and allow the seal to leak - I distinctly remember now that when I looked at the new one against my old one the bolts were holding the reservoir lugs tight to the cylinder body and causing a slight arch over the seals - maybe it was fitted without spacers or as they are not there or too short it caused a fracture when they were tightened down; I cant check now though as I've boxed it all up ready to ship back..

[new to this]

That's a good idea - who in Bury does it?

I'm thinking now having at LD's pages they also sell the TRW ones but they make mention of the spacers that fit where each bolt goes that hold the the reservoir to the body - they say that if they are the wrong length they can distort the reservoir and allow the seal to leak - I distinctly remember now that when I looked at the new one against my old one the bolts were holding the reservoir lugs tight to the cylinder body and causing a slight arch over the seals - maybe it was fitted without spacers or as they are not there or too short it caused a fracture when they were tightened down; I cant check now though as I've boxed it all up ready to ship back..

LD parts used to sell the stainless steel sleaved brake master cylinder

[MandM]

HI Mike, not cheap £221.75, my Pc is saying not sercue? so have taken the link off, but left website maybe better to e-mail

"past parts"


OUR ADDRESS


Unit 4 Chase Road, Northern Way Industrial Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP32 6NT
TELEPHONE


01284 750 729
EMAIL


restore@pastparts.co.uk
WEB


http://www.pastparts.co.uk

[mike@thenook]

Thanks for that, I'll bear it in mind once I know what Robs have planned - LD seem to have run out of them so I just hope Rob's have another or at the very least a spare reservoir and the seals to make mine work.

Cheers!

[MandM]

LD parts used to sell the stainless steel sleaved brake master cylinder

Hi Dave that's just for the reservoir i think

[mike@thenook]

Replacement arrived from Robsport (top guys they are!) and this one although TRW branded has a reservoir near identical to my original one, much more sturdy and sits perfectly over the seals rather than "bowed" due the more flimsy plastic of the other one.
It looks like TRW have changed the reservoir for something more substantial which is good and Robsport did confirm the other one had a hairline crack presumably as the plastic was too thin to bear the strain.

It will be fitted soon now there's a bit less frost in the air and the bleeding can begin - oh joy!

Cheers

M

[Phil S]

my thoughts....bleeding brakes!