Master cylinder question
Discussion
Got a sneaking feeling that my brake master cylinder might be failing. Need to investigate further at the weekend.
I gather earlier S Series cars had a Saab 9000 master cylinder, later changing over to a Ford Fiesta item, with the change over being in 1991. As mine is a 1991 S3C, I expect (unless anybody knows different) it could be either, so my question is how does one tell the difference in order to purchase the right rebuild kit?
Is there somewhere a Saab or Ford stamp on the part?
Many thanks
I gather earlier S Series cars had a Saab 9000 master cylinder, later changing over to a Ford Fiesta item, with the change over being in 1991. As mine is a 1991 S3C, I expect (unless anybody knows different) it could be either, so my question is how does one tell the difference in order to purchase the right rebuild kit?
Is there somewhere a Saab or Ford stamp on the part?
Many thanks
Hi Earl,
First check that your brake servo has not rusted through underneath, causing a vacuum leak. It's a common failure, drastically reducing braking force & needing a huge pedal effort.
Then check for fluid leaks inside & outside the car, and at the wheel cylinders & brake caliper pistons. Or the m/cyl could have an internal leak, failing to hold brake pressure.
As far as I know, the seal kits for the Saab m/cyl are no longer obtainable,
but the Fiesta kit is. ( look on Useful links Wiki, General S information, Alternative parts list. The Fiesta kit will NOT fit the Saab m/cyl. If the Saab one is u/s, then both the m/cyl AND the servo will have to be replaced as a pair by Fiesta items IF you can source some. They are not a straightforward swap, as the bulkhead holes will need altering.
Search on here for Brake Servo / Brake m/cyl replacement, lots of info.
Also Andrew ( TVRGit ) wrote a nice article in Sprint re this subject, it may be on his website in Useful Links.
The Saab version did indeed have a remote fluid reservoir attached to the bulkhead.
There were a few types of Fiesta m/cyl, the one needed for the S is 22.2 mm bore and the seal kit to match.
But an anomaly here, my S1 is one of the first 20 made, and has yet a different set-up to the norm ( ! )
It has an integral reservoir, but the m/cyl is much chunkier than the Fiesta version. I am not sure if it is earlier Saab/ Cortina/ Granada/ Capri/ Sierra or something completely different ( possibly fitted by Monty Python? ).
I have a new Servo & a suitable Fiesta m/cyl ready to fit when the time comes, but I've put off doing the job because I think I'll have to radically alter or replace the brake lines, as they fall nowhere near where they are supposed to with the new m/cyl in place.
Who would have thought that - a non standard TVR!
Serious note:
This info is given in the best of faith, no liability is admitted or accepted by this author for errors or omissions.
First check that your brake servo has not rusted through underneath, causing a vacuum leak. It's a common failure, drastically reducing braking force & needing a huge pedal effort.
Then check for fluid leaks inside & outside the car, and at the wheel cylinders & brake caliper pistons. Or the m/cyl could have an internal leak, failing to hold brake pressure.
As far as I know, the seal kits for the Saab m/cyl are no longer obtainable,
but the Fiesta kit is. ( look on Useful links Wiki, General S information, Alternative parts list. The Fiesta kit will NOT fit the Saab m/cyl. If the Saab one is u/s, then both the m/cyl AND the servo will have to be replaced as a pair by Fiesta items IF you can source some. They are not a straightforward swap, as the bulkhead holes will need altering.
Search on here for Brake Servo / Brake m/cyl replacement, lots of info.
Also Andrew ( TVRGit ) wrote a nice article in Sprint re this subject, it may be on his website in Useful Links.
The Saab version did indeed have a remote fluid reservoir attached to the bulkhead.
There were a few types of Fiesta m/cyl, the one needed for the S is 22.2 mm bore and the seal kit to match.
But an anomaly here, my S1 is one of the first 20 made, and has yet a different set-up to the norm ( ! )
It has an integral reservoir, but the m/cyl is much chunkier than the Fiesta version. I am not sure if it is earlier Saab/ Cortina/ Granada/ Capri/ Sierra or something completely different ( possibly fitted by Monty Python? ).
I have a new Servo & a suitable Fiesta m/cyl ready to fit when the time comes, but I've put off doing the job because I think I'll have to radically alter or replace the brake lines, as they fall nowhere near where they are supposed to with the new m/cyl in place.
Who would have thought that - a non standard TVR!
Serious note:
This info is given in the best of faith, no liability is admitted or accepted by this author for errors or omissions.
Edited by glenrobbo on Wednesday 15th January 21:04
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