Master cylinder replacement

[jonbarrett]

OK, so how do I get to the bottom bolt. Apart from cutting a big hole in the inner wing, I just can't see a way of reaching the bottom bolt. Will I have to remove the whole pedal box?

[JensenA]

You need 2 people unfortunately. You need someone in the footwell to use a spanner/socket to keep the nuts from turning. And undo the bolts from the top using a socket extension.

[WIL35]

I managed to hold the lower bolt from cylinder side while someone else undid the nut inside the footwell. To stop the bolt turning I used a 3/8" drive flexible wrench (one where the head can flip through 180 degrees), a short extension (about 70mm) and a 13mm socket.

I connected the tools together and had to feed the socket and extension down the gap at the end of the cylinder then I could just get my finger tips in to pull the extension so it was parallel to the cylinder and push the socket onto the bolt. It took a couple of attempts to get the socket on!

Hope that makes sense.

[jonbarrett]

Can't see any way of getting a socket of spanner in, I'll post a picture later.

[jonbarrett]

Can't see how I can get a socket in without trimming the wing away. I'm wondering if the aperture was badly cut and should haver been larger anyway. Advice appreciated.

[JensenA]

Hmmm, does look tight John! I suppose it could be that the access hole has been cut just a bit to small, but before you go chopping it out, I know on mine it was very tight, and difficult to get a socket on even with a wibbly-wobbly attachment, so keep trying a bit longer before you get the hacksaw out

[brogenville]

Think of it this way, someone got it in there in the first place!

Good luck!

[baztvr]

I don't believe anyone had been there before me on mine. the sikaflex was original and lacquered over. I did bore a hole in mine and then put a 40mm bung in afterwards. I say the cylinder was fitted before the shell was. I know access was impossible on my car, good luck.PS if you do decide to bore a hole I have some more 40mm rubbers I could post one if you needed.

Edited by baztvr on Monday 9th March 20:44

[CER927]

I had this same problem last april, the way i got round it was to bend a fairly large flat bladed screwdriver. The flat end of the driver blade then was tucked under the reseavoir and wedged between the bolthead and master cylinder reseavoir body, preventing the bolt turning. Then your best buddy can undo the nut in the footwell whilst you hold the scewdriver steady. Worked for me after trying various different sized allen keys. Good luck.

[jonbarrett]

I like the screwdriver idea. When I replace the cylinder would it be a good idea to bond the bolts into the cylinder so there is no need to grip them if it needs removing again.