Clutch master cylinder leaky, replace or repair kit ??

[tvr4ever]

I discovered that my clutch master cylinder is leaking fluid, i have however found a repair set.

www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p568/REPAIR-KIT-M/CYL-0.70/product_info.html?osCsid=792feb8d850abe694115c40b85c0f238

My very knowledgable mechanic friend tells me that repairing the cylinder won't last long because the aluminium body has deformed to much.

Has anybody used these repair kit's ?? I would like to know how long the cylinder lasts after the repair kit is installed.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Fred

[david beer]

I have been thinking of this for the past year, i have to top mine up every couple of months. I bought both master and slave as it was "advised" to do both(not got round to it yet), my last garage say they only repair, now!

[john p]

If the piston or cylinder is showing any signs of wear,I'd fit a new one.How has the body deformed?

[adyw]

Mine started leaking booked it in to be done as gears were a little stiff when cold, come the morning of the repair couldn't get the car out the garage with a fist full on nothing from the gearbox they had to come and collect it. I would straight replace it.

[tvr4ever]

john p said:

If the piston or cylinder is showing any signs of wear,I'd fit a new one.How has the body deformed?

The cylinder is not showing any wear, i'm going to use (i dunno what they are called in English) a set of those grinding stones that you use on the inside of cylinders to make sure the walls are nice, clean and even.

So anyone who done this before, please stand up and tell your story.

Fred

[wixer]

Spend the folding, this is such a git of a job, you really don't want to be doing it again in 3 months time, which is probably how long the new seals will last.

[tvr4ever]

wixer said:

Spend the folding, this is such a git of a job, you really don't want to be doing it again in 3 months time, which is probably how long the new seals will last.

That's exactly what my mechanic friend is saying, however i would like to know from someone who has actually repaired one or more cylinders what the succes rate is. And if they all fail, like i hear people mention, why do they fail. Is it never a good idea to repair them or is it only the case with this type of cylinder.
The cylinder now has a mirror like finish on the inside after a good cleaning, it should theoreticly repair perfectly...

So anyone who has actualy repaired these cylinders, PLEASE stand up and tell your story.

Fred

[Hedgehopper]

I re-built a clutch master and slave cylinder in April 2001 (52000 miles ago)and they are still going strong. Providing there is no corrosion in the bores they will be fine. Can't see why the bores would have distorted, if they had wouldn't the pistons have seized?

[that daddy]

if the bores are not lipped or scared reseal them,they wouldent have distorted why?,if the master is in the same part of the footwell as the chim you can reseal in situ,takes about 3/4 of an hour fit & bleed.

[tvr4ever]

Hedgehopper said:

I re-built a clutch master and slave cylinder in April 2001 (52000 miles ago)and they are still going strong. Providing there is no corrosion in the bores they will be fine. Can't see why the bores would have distorted, if they had wouldn't the pistons have seized?

Thanks, that's info i can use. In theory there should be no problem repairing the cylinder, asuming there is no corrosion, and there isn't. The inside is very smooth with a mirror like finisch.
I have sanded the pistons with waterproof sandpaper covered in motoroil and polished them, absolutely in perfect condition now. I will have a go and try the repair kit.

Fred

[shpub]

I have tried resealing several cylinders but every one has been a failure - so now I simply replace. Main problem is usually that the cylinder bore is damaged so that the seal works OK for a bit but then starts to weep. Keep the old one as it may be useful if/when the part becomes obsolete. They can be refurbed and sleeved if needed but it cost more than a replacement.

[aussie john]

I have put seal kits in quite a few master cylinders many years ago when living in Sydney, I always had success and they lasted well. If there was any bore damage we resleeved in stainless steel and this never appeared to deteriorate. Good luck, John.