Mothballing braking components
Discussion
Bit of a long shot, this, but I was wondering if any of the technical / mechanicky chaps on here might be able to advise???
In the next few months, I'm probably going to start breaking my "old" car and hoarding the bits for my "new" one (them both being the same sort). As they're well and truly outmoded with spares no longer available, I want to keep as many of the good bits as I can. Among it's "good bits" are a new clutch master cylinder and a few braking bits. I'd obviously also like to keep the ABS pump.
Does anyone know the best way to preserve components that carry brake fluid? Clearly, just taking them off the car and throwing them in the shed will allow the fluid that's in there to absorb water and they'll soon be scrap. I could get some blanked-off stubs of brake pipe on unions and screw them into the ports - but I think it will still absorb water over time. Should I try to empty the components and store them empty? Flush them with silicone brake fluid and leave that in there instead? Use some sort of preserving oil to fill them (but will it attack the seals)? The system was designed for DOT 3 fluids and can use DOT 4.
Any suggestions???
In the next few months, I'm probably going to start breaking my "old" car and hoarding the bits for my "new" one (them both being the same sort). As they're well and truly outmoded with spares no longer available, I want to keep as many of the good bits as I can. Among it's "good bits" are a new clutch master cylinder and a few braking bits. I'd obviously also like to keep the ABS pump.
Does anyone know the best way to preserve components that carry brake fluid? Clearly, just taking them off the car and throwing them in the shed will allow the fluid that's in there to absorb water and they'll soon be scrap. I could get some blanked-off stubs of brake pipe on unions and screw them into the ports - but I think it will still absorb water over time. Should I try to empty the components and store them empty? Flush them with silicone brake fluid and leave that in there instead? Use some sort of preserving oil to fill them (but will it attack the seals)? The system was designed for DOT 3 fluids and can use DOT 4.
Any suggestions???
Somebody's bound to turn up and tell me I've been doing it wrong and it's dangerous, but I've always given them a good wipe down with kitchen towel to remove any excess fluid, then sprayed them with a dusting of brake cleaning fluid (as you would spray metal parts with WD40) and wrapped them in greaseproof paper.
It's worked for me, so far.
It's worked for me, so far.
Edited by Sam_68 on Sunday 3rd January 00:05
Yes, and seal the ports as you suggest.
If there's no air in there, there's no way the fluid can absorb moisture from the air...
If you're storing calipers, I'd push/wind the pistons all the way back in, to minimise the volume of fluid in them, but I'm not sure it actually matters all that much.
And obviously store them somewhere warm and dry, to minimise the risk of condensation forming on the metal.
If there's no air in there, there's no way the fluid can absorb moisture from the air...
If you're storing calipers, I'd push/wind the pistons all the way back in, to minimise the volume of fluid in them, but I'm not sure it actually matters all that much.
And obviously store them somewhere warm and dry, to minimise the risk of condensation forming on the metal.
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