Brake Actuators - anyone know about them?

So Friends, I have two currently soaking in weasel pee (acetone & ATF) from the Vauxhall


how do I get the guts out and is there a rebuild kit? These are Girling brakes if that matters

thanks all!

Have you tried plugging all holes except ends after packing with grease and tapping carefully with a brass punch or air pressure? Just a thought.

LarryK said:

Have you tried plugging all holes except ends after packing with grease and tapping carefully with a brass punch or air pressure? Just a thought.

Click to expand...

Thank you for this suggestion - that is exactly what I needed to do - didn't even need to pack with grease or anything. What had perplexed me was that the pistons had slots in them suggesting that they were threaded. They weren't. So, I got out the screwdriver and a hammer and, sure enough it popped right out. (Only one of the castings though - but, that was all I needed)

Popped them out, cleaned them up, remarkably the rubbers were still in excellent shape as was the shaft. so, a good clean, lube and, Bob's your uncle.

Here is a before (sort of - the one that was seized) and the cleaned up one. About 1 1/2 hours altogether and very satisfying!



onward we go

I know this response is very late but if these brakes are very old from the late 1950's and early 1960's they used Girling Crimson brake fluid.

The DOT brake fluids would turn the rubber seals into a soft mush resulting in brake failure.

I've been out of the British car ownership for a long time so things may have changed since then.

JP, Girling Crimson brake fluid is NA. I've read that fellas with cars that used it are replacing it with Castrol DOT-4, check it out, I've never used it, but it is supposed to mix with other fluids. PJ

I have been using Castrol DOT-4 for a long time. The containers used to be white. Bought the newer Rover and the specs were synthetic fluid for brakes, so I looked on line and ordered the new stuff in black container. Well, when I compared them, it was the same old Castrol as the white containers said synthetic too, Mixes well with other fluids, not the same as DOT-5 which is totally different. The Castrol is compatible with rubber or neopreme seals. Has a pretty good temperature tolerance. That is the only brake/clutch fluid in my shop.

Thanks all for this FWIW I will however be going with DOT5 as with the Midget, I know it is controversial but, I have had good luck, it saves the paint and the entire system will be new.

I have DOT-5 in the TF and it works very well, no issues. You do have to go slow when bleeding the system to prevent air bubbles from forming. PJ