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Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:04 pm
by jaknight
I am not familiar with the use of red grease in the bores of brake master cylinders, clutch master cylinders or brake servos.
Is this for storage only? How long can the components be in storage?
Must be removed and cleaned prior to installation on car? How to clean?
What red grease to use...does it state the usage on package for brakes?
Thanks
Jim
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:08 pm
by AndyPen
The clutch one in my pictures had 1972 on the box, and to be fair, the grease seems to have done its job. You don't have to remove it when the parts are new.
Most car parts people do red grease for this kind of hydraulics, I found a supplier in seconds

Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:04 pm
by jaknight
From what I have read in this posting, you should use red rubber grease in the brake master cylinder, clutch master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake servos to protect against corrosion while in storage and to lube the seals during a rebuild...correct?
Thanks
Jim
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:13 pm
by bwaminispeed
Yes, make sure it is Brake Assembly Grease, I'm sure there are red greases out there that are not for brakes......
I use a white silicone Brake Assembly Grease, given to me by a Brake rebuilder that I knew..........
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:18 pm
by Twincam
In the US, red cylinder lubricant is very hard to find. I have a large tube of Ate cylinder lube which says it’s DOT3,4 and 5.1 compatible. It is clear, not red. Anyone know if this would work?
D98A14F1-252C-4CE5-8ECB-FFBEAB84DBAF.jpeg
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:28 pm
by bwaminispeed
Absolutely it would work.......
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:36 pm
by AndyPen
Only had an hour to spare today but the tall master cylinder couldn't have come apart easier and like the clutch, the bore is perfect thankfully.
My boxes may not be the originals - just convenient ones for dealers to make look good I imagine, so best check the rod lengths before reassembling if you are ever doing the same. One that had handwritten Cooper S on the box was actually for a different car altogether as it had the bigger foot - purchased at the NEC last year that one, so was clearly put in the box to raise a few more quid!!
I also discovered one of my clutch master cylinders is .70 bore like the brakes - not .75 as I had assumed they all were. So still learning!!
Finally, remember that 1100 and A40 ones might be in there, despite what it says on the boxes! So the rod length check is critical! Bigger feet could presumably be ground back a bit to fit. Maybe keep a few good rods off any old mini cans you chuck, just in case
Thanks to those who are helping me behind the scenes too
NOS-S-brake-master-strip.jpg
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:43 pm
by bwaminispeed
Pretty sure the 1100/1300s mostly used .70 clutch masters.......
With, a slightly longer clutch pedal to get relatively the same pedal pressure as the Mini's......
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:16 pm
by AndyPen
That would make sense - shame it didn’t say that on the box - I should have looked closer I know

Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:27 pm
by croc7
Twincam wrote: ↑Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:18 pm
In the US, red cylinder lubricant is very hard to find. I have a large tube of Ate cylinder lube which says it’s DOT3,4 and 5.1 compatible. It is clear, not red. Anyone know if this would work?
D98A14F1-252C-4CE5-8ECB-FFBEAB84DBAF.jpeg
jaknight wrote: ↑Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:04 pm
I am not familiar with the use of red grease in the bores of brake master cylinders, clutch master cylinders or brake servos.
Is this for storage only? How long can the components be in storage?
Must be removed and cleaned prior to installation on car? How to clean?
What red grease to use...does it state the usage on package for brakes?
Thanks
Jim
Castrol makes a product that is called, Red Rubber Grease, and I have used a lot in rebuilding brake and clutch master cylinders. Preserves rubber components in the brake/clutch system. I ordered mine in the US, through the web site that sells EVERYTHING, Amazon.
Re: Dismantling NOS master cylinders
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:42 pm
by AndyPen
The picture above shows the brake master exactly as it came apart, but watch out anyone who goes to reference it as looking at the manual, the spring came out upside down with the plastic valve thingy at the bottom!! Should be at the top!!
The seals all looked perfect so I guess everything had been changed already. All new in now anyway
