dual circuit brakes question
Discussion
Hi,
As part of a RHD to LHD conversion of my 96 Chim, the prior owner had removed the clutch fluid reservoir and piped the brake fluid reservoir so it services both the brakes and the clutch. I believe the prior owner routed one of the single fluid outputs into a "Y piece" to service both inputs to the brake master cylinder.
The car uses the standard brake master cylinder.
My mechanic has advised that this means I have lost the dual circuit functionality by sharing the reservoir with the clutch.
How does this impact the dual circuit functionality? Dues the brake fluid reservoir have an internal baffle that ensures a separate feed to each circuit?
I'm assuming the right thing to do is go back to a factory type set up and put the clutch in its own supply, but would like to understand the dual circuit design better.
Thanks
As part of a RHD to LHD conversion of my 96 Chim, the prior owner had removed the clutch fluid reservoir and piped the brake fluid reservoir so it services both the brakes and the clutch. I believe the prior owner routed one of the single fluid outputs into a "Y piece" to service both inputs to the brake master cylinder.
The car uses the standard brake master cylinder.
My mechanic has advised that this means I have lost the dual circuit functionality by sharing the reservoir with the clutch.
How does this impact the dual circuit functionality? Dues the brake fluid reservoir have an internal baffle that ensures a separate feed to each circuit?
I'm assuming the right thing to do is go back to a factory type set up and put the clutch in its own supply, but would like to understand the dual circuit design better.
Thanks
Modern dual line brake circuits are designed as a safety feature. In the event a brake caliper should fail and lose brake fluid, you will still have half of the braking system.
The reservoir does have two compartments for this function. The master cylinder has a piston with two operating sections. The pedal is pressed and the piston moves forward pushing the brake fluid out through all four exits to the calipers - 2 brake pipes per piston section.
In the event one side should fail, when you press the pedal, the piston moves forward as before. However, on the bad caliper the fluid will simply be pushed out and there will be no braking effect. The brake pipes are generally paired nearside front to offside rear and offside front with nearside rear. This gives you 'diagonal' braking so to speak.
Lets say the nearside front caliper blows its piston seal then, when you press the pedal, the fluid will not exert any pressure in either the nearside front or the offside rear. But, you will still have braking effort to the other two diagonally opposing wheels. This ensures you still have some braking ability.
The reservoir does have two compartments for this function. The master cylinder has a piston with two operating sections. The pedal is pressed and the piston moves forward pushing the brake fluid out through all four exits to the calipers - 2 brake pipes per piston section.
In the event one side should fail, when you press the pedal, the piston moves forward as before. However, on the bad caliper the fluid will simply be pushed out and there will be no braking effect. The brake pipes are generally paired nearside front to offside rear and offside front with nearside rear. This gives you 'diagonal' braking so to speak.
Lets say the nearside front caliper blows its piston seal then, when you press the pedal, the fluid will not exert any pressure in either the nearside front or the offside rear. But, you will still have braking effort to the other two diagonally opposing wheels. This ensures you still have some braking ability.
Easiest route is to use a three chamber reservoir.
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/3-chamber-br...
Steve
ETA Make sure you use the correct type of hose between reservoir and cylinders. The wrong type will 'sweat' fluid and make quite a mess. Ask me how I know.
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/brake-fluid-...
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/3-chamber-br...
Steve
ETA Make sure you use the correct type of hose between reservoir and cylinders. The wrong type will 'sweat' fluid and make quite a mess. Ask me how I know.
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/brake-fluid-...
Edited by Steve_D on Tuesday 27th September 22:45
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff