Brake master cylinder removal - help please

[Chim_Pete]

Hi all,

I have a suspected issue with my brake master cylinder. The car has been sitting for 20 months whilst I eventually did some outrigger repairs, then upon awakening her she passed the MOT fine, but then (only 100 miles later!) developed an intermittent brake issue where the pedal went long and I seemed to get no servo assistance :-( I suspect that the floating piston in the master cylinder is not returning or that one of the seals has gone (possibly due to using the brakes in a bore that has gone rusty whilst sitting around...). Vacuum pipe and NRV seem fine.

My questions are:
- Can I remove the master cylinder through the inspection hatch/reservoir aperture without withdrawing the complete pedal box?
- Does the reservoir simply pull out of the master cylinder?

I have so far detached the pedal box so it is now floating around and also the clutch master and servo bolts from pedal box. I was hoping I could remove reservoir to access and remove the brake master, but it doesn't seem to want to budge. Option B is to take the steering column out and then the pedal box, but I'm hoping there is an easier/less disruptive/quicker option!

Many thanks in advance.
Pete.

[TJC46]

Chim_Pete said:

Hi all,

I have a suspected issue with my brake master cylinder. The car has been sitting for 20 months whilst I eventually did some outrigger repairs, then upon awakening her she passed the MOT fine, but then (only 100 miles later!) developed an intermittent brake issue where the pedal went long and I seemed to get no servo assistance :-( I suspect that the floating piston in the master cylinder is not returning or that one of the seals has gone (possibly due to using the brakes in a bore that has gone rusty whilst sitting around...). Vacuum pipe and NRV seem fine.

My questions are:
- Can I remove the master cylinder through the inspection hatch/reservoir aperture without withdrawing the complete pedal box?
- Does the reservoir simply pull out of the master cylinder?

I have so far detached the pedal box so it is now floating around and also the clutch master and servo bolts from pedal box. I was hoping I could remove reservoir to access and remove the brake master, but it doesn't seem to want to budge. Option B is to take the steering column out and then the pedal box, but I'm hoping there is an easier/less disruptive/quicker option!

Many thanks in advance.
Pete.

The reservoir does indeed just pull out.[someone else please confirm].....i don't want the O.P to destroy his reservoir!

I am sure someone here on these forums has, with the clutch master cylinder out , removed the brake master cylinder

You do not need to remove the steering column to remove the pedal box. It will come out, although i think i removed the accelerator pedal to get it out.

[Chim_Pete]

Thanks for the initial confirmation on the reservoir TJC46 - I thought that was probably the case, I'll just have to pull harder!

Useful to know that the steering column removal isn't strictly necessary as this will make the car slightly more mobile.

Cheers.

[Sardonicus]

Yes the res pulls up and out but stuff all around the MS with kitchen towel or similar to catch the spilt brake fluid, you don't need to remove the pedal box it can be done through the inner wing access holes no bother.

[Chim_Pete]

That's great, thanks Sardonicus.

[Sardonicus]

Just to add if you spill brake fluid and want to dilute/rinse it away so it does no damage then pull out the driver foot-well carpets to expose a bare floor and lightly sprinkle a hot kettle full of water round the area making sure than none enters the servo opening it will all drain into the foot-well and being hot dries up quicker then just soak it up if your good with the kitchen roll/paper towel you shouldn't need to.