S3C master brake cylinder, looking for advice

[markbigears]

Hi all, after replacing both clutch cylinders last year due to weeping / corrosion, noticed a few drips on the garage floor from the master brake cylinder at the weekend. It's got a slight weep from where the cylinder connects to the servo.
Couple of questions as i've never replaced this item before.
1) What cylinder do i need to order and where from? (do i need a new plastic reservoir too)
2) Is there a walk through anywhere (have looked online) on how to do the job?
3) How easy is the job on the pistonheads scale 1-10?

Picture of said set up ..... i think it's the fiesta set-up? and yes i know it's upside down,
so no comments smart arses!

Edited by markbigears on Monday 27th July 13:37

[tvrgit]

There is a bit of a walk-though on replacing the servo and master cylinder on my web site here:

http://www.andrewc.org.uk/tvrgit/servo.html

Ignore the servo references, obviously. Not exactly what your looking for but hope its helpful.

This old thread here has all the right part numbers : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... - those Fiesta Mk3 master cylinders fit - they are still available, the servos are not (well they are, occasionally, but at a premium price). You should be able to swap over the plastic reservoir if you’re careful - I did, because again, at the time, the reservoirs were difficult to source.

It's really a pretty easy job if you know how to bleed brakes - getting the bleeding started on a new m/c can sometimes be tricky though. some PHers would describe this as "a doddle", others would find it a nightmare - depends on your skilz

[phillpot]

markbigears said:

I know it's upside down, could that be why its leaking?

.......................




Difficulty hard to gauge, as said depends on your skills/ability/experience etc. some find bleeding brakes straight forward, others get in a bit of a pickle. But it is brakes so no room for "I think I'm ok with it"

[greymrj]

Yep, that is the Ford set up so shouldnt be too hard to get a master cylinder and you have already been given the PH references to follow up.

However, make sure you do it quickly and get that servo as clean from brake fluid as you can, especially underneath, and get it repainted! Save that Servo campaign! An hour spent on that servo will be one of the best £/hr you have ever spent!

Oh yes, I do agree, you will have to screw the cap on very carefully if you keep it that way up!

[markbigears]

Well I did the clutch cylinders ok, well with a bit of swearing fitting the slave, and bled that all ok, do I take it brakes are different kettle of fish? Never touched the brakes before. Thanks for all the helps guys, esp the part numbers.

[v8s4me]

Here are a couple..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-MK3-Brake-Ma...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-fiesta-courier-van-...

The bore needs to be 22.2mm. Trouble is you don't really know what you're getting until it arrives.

Bleeding the brakes is a fairly straight forward "by the numbers process" which is made a lot easier if you can get a couple of mates to help. One pumps the pedal, while you do the bleeding and the third keeps topping up the fluid level in the reservoir.

Edited by v8s4me on Monday 27th July 17:33

[phillpot]

v8s4me said:

which is made a lot easier if you.....

....... get a Gunson Easibleed...

markbigears said:

do I take it brakes are different kettle of fish?

Same principle just a few more places for that elusive air bubble to get trapped

Edited by phillpot on Monday 27th July 19:15

[v8s4me]

Billynomates said:

....... get a Gunson Easibleed...

But you can't down the pub afterwards with one of those

[markbigears]

Thanks Mike, still have my vizibleed, was cheaper!

[glenrobbo]

v8s4me said:

Billynomates said:

....... get a Gunson Easibleed...

But you can't down the pub afterwards with one of those

You're right there Joe!
I always put my Easibleed back in the garage before I go to the pub.
It's good that I have to go UP to the pub, coz that means it's easier to come back home later.

Gosh, I wish it would stop raining! Austin is still soaked from Sunday's rather moist excursion. Hopefully I'll be able to get the top off tomorrow for s nice little run out. ( Secret TVRCC assignment ).

[themee]

Complete numpty here when comes to cars, but did this job and found it easy enough,used the eazibleed,great bit of kit!

[TVRees]

markbigears said:

... It's got a slight weep from where the cylinder connects to the servo.....

Wouldn't this be a problem with the gasket between the two ? Maybe you don't actually need a new master cylinder, just a new gasket.

[markbigears]

Didn't know there was one Tim?
Is that a seperate item because it dosen't look like it comes with the cylinders I've looked at?

Edited by markbigears on Tuesday 28th July 18:21

[glenrobbo]

TVRees said:

markbigears said:

... It's got a slight weep from where the cylinder connects to the servo.....

Wouldn't this be a problem with the gasket between the two ? Maybe you don't actually need a new master cylinder, just a new gasket.

There shouldn't be any brake fluid emanating from that area. If there is, it means the rear seal in the cylinder is leaking, and the possibility that the rest of the seals are also on the way out.
I don't think there is usually a gasket fitted between the m/cyl & servo.

[phillpot]

glenrobbo said:

There shouldn't be any brake fluid emanating from that area.

No, there certainly shouldn't

glenrobbo said:

I don't think there is usually a gasket fitted between the m/cyl & servo.

If there is it is to seal air (vacuum) not brake fluid!