• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Dismantle Brake Master Cylinder

Share this page

A

asoupley

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
I am currently trying to dismantle the brake master cylinder on my 1970... (I know that master cylinders have been talked about recently, but I did not want to hijack anyones thread!) I can only get as far as removing the outer spring under the boot, and then remove the lock ring inside. There is that nylon washer/seal that I cannot get to move... any ideas? Also, does anyone know what type of wrench to use to remove the reservoir from the master cylinder - I cannot find one that fits inside the recessed areas!

I hope this make sense...

Thanks in advance!
Soup!
 
The best way to get that Nylon ring out is to cook it out with a propane torch. Under that you will find another snap ring. I was unable to find a pair of snap ring pliers that could reach it so I made my own with the thinnest, longest needle nose pliers I could find. I ground a little more material off of the pliers and cut a small noch on each side of the pliers with a cut-off wheel. Works perfect.

I would avoid the rebuild kit they sell on VB. You can get a pretty good kit from bpnorthwest.com as well as a small packet of red assembly grease.
 
When working on removing the nylon ring it is important not to scratch the cylinder walls.

A common technique involves drilling two small holes in the nylon so that two #6 screws can be screwed in, and then slowly work the nylon washer out by pulling on these screws.

When I did mine I cut the washer with a hot x-acto blade.

Once you get it out, there awaits another challenge below...grasshopper. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
MORRIS!!!

You ruined the surprise.

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Sorry. We must have been typing at the same time.

I would avoid the screw technique as you can scratch things up pretty bad real easy. Don't ask me how I know.
 
Ok, I'll try the propane torch method (any chance to use my torch!). Thanks for all the advice!!
 
I got my nylon out by drilling the ring on each side and using a couple ice pic type tools. The ring is replaced in the kit. Also, I have an small long shanked old flat screw driver that for some reason long forgotten the end has been bent in the last 1/4". It always seems to be of use and I used it on this project. As you remove all the parts, list each, and note their orientation. The reservior is held on by 4 philips screws, thats all. Others say the carbs are a problem, I think the master cyl is. Good luck.
 
Back
Top