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TR2/3/3A TR3B Brakes

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Brooklands

Brooklands

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While driving last week, I noticed a drop in braking ability and the need for a firmer pressure on the pedal. I thought it might be a drop off as it was one of the harder runs Fagin had taken.

Today, when backing out of the garage, I still needed the firm pressure. I went to do the next stage of wire wheel cleaning, and when I got to the passenger side front wheel, it was streaked with dark oily "stuff" (to be technical). I had never checked the brake fluid reservoir, so I do not know know how full it should be, but I expected to see fluid near the top which I did not find.

Should I assume I have a leak? If so, would it be safe to add fluid to drive to a garage about 1 mile away to have this checked?

I am trying to be a bit mechanical, but this never came up in my accounting courses. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Fill the reservoir up.

Apply the brake pedal, pump it several times and see if the pedal pressure firms up. If you still have brakes, drive slowly and carefully to the shop, other wise get it towed.
 
did it pull to the left when you used the brakes? If it were only the fluid I would expect the right brake not to grab as much and give you a pull to the left. If that did not happen then you may have more issues then that.

As to the one mile drive, that is a personal choice. It all depends on your level of confidence, the type of road, how slow you can drive etc. If you are talking about driving there at 5 miles an hour that is one thing, 65 miles and hour is an other. Trade all that off against the cost of a one mile flat bed tow.
 
If you do have a leak, just remember that the TR3 DOES NOT HAVE A DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM. When you run out of fluid, you run out of brakes. How good is the hand brake??
 
Meanwhile, you might top up the reservoir (I fill mine to just above the top of the clutch portion (the center/inner cylinder) easy to see when it's that full as the top surface is unbroken by that inner cylinder.

Then pump the brakes & hold them down. This will tell you if they are firm or at least pretty firm and more importantly may make any leak appear.

The dark oily stuff was likely brake fluid. It probably wasn't really dark but it is oily and a bit sticky so brake dust would quickly make it appear dark.

Places to look for the leak would be at the bleed screw, where the line connects to the caliper, the line itself and around the pistons/pads. Brake fluid leaks are more often oozing leaks rather than gushers so it may be hard to see.

Often fixing one leak will lead to another leak elsewhere, this might be a good time to have the entire hydraulic system examined. Oh, and if the brake fluid that was leaking really is dark then it is likely old and contaminated and should be bled through & replaced.
 
Speaking of brakes on the TR3 and changing the subject of the thread just a bit. has anyone tried the kevlar pads on a TR3 and do they make a difference?
 
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