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Master Cylinders

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 1:18 pm
by MrNoo
Where or who sells decent ones of both clutch and brake? S brake one here and seal is gone after 6 months, fluid down the pedal and clutch also 6 months old has leaked out from the weld between the can and base plate. Or is it a question of scouring the place for NOS?
Or is it easier to put a set on like they use on the Miglias etc? I'm not overly fussed re originality.
Some of this reproduction stuff is utter garbage.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 4:51 pm
by Spider
I've found the Masters from Mini Spares bad the last few years, most lasting no more than a year. I re-kit them and they seem fine. The kits I've been using come from a local (Australian) supplier, Protex. I'm not sure if they are available in the UK ?

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2024 4:56 pm
by MrNoo
I think I will go with AP, hopefully they should last!!

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:32 pm
by Herbert850
All the "repro" master cylinders are made by AP.

They did have issues with seals a few years ago, but that has now been rectified.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2024 7:18 pm
by imack
My minispares tin "Lockheed" ones have been fine, fitted in 2017 and done around 9000 miles.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2024 1:51 am
by Spider
Herbert850 wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 4:32 pm All the "repro" master cylinders are made by AP.

They did have issues with seals a few years ago, but that has now been rectified.
Ah, actually no, not all. Some of the Plastic Tank types aren't.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2024 8:20 am
by MrNoo
imack wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2024 7:18 pm My minispares tin "Lockheed" ones have been fine, fitted in 2017 and done around 9000 miles.
Yes those are the ones I have on mine currently, one thing I have used is silicone brake fluid, I wonder if that is one of the issues, certainly the clutch cylinder is just poor construction as its leaking due to poor weld or however they fix it to the base. I did take a video but not sure how to post!

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2024 9:47 am
by Peter Laidler
You can be rest assured that silicon fluid won't be the cause of your seal failure Mr Noo! My 69 S has had silicon since I restored it in ''86 and my last-of-the-line year 2001 Rover Cooper Sport has had silicon since I drained it down as best I could and filled it with silicon a year or so from new.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2024 11:05 am
by woodypup59
I've had new (back in the day) Lockheed masters with rusty bores, even though they were within their shelf life - according to Lockheed technical dept.

So I always strip a new cylinder, clean the bore and lubricate with the pink silicon brake grease Lockheed sent me and re-assemble.

OK up to now - cross fingers

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2024 3:04 pm
by Peter Laidler
Same here Woody. I scrubbed the bore out with a bit of that scotch-brite pad wrapped around a piece of wood dowel and stuck it in the electric drill for a minute or so.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2024 7:43 pm
by Spider
MrNoo wrote: Sat Nov 09, 2024 8:20 am Yes those are the ones I have on mine currently, one thing I have used is silicone brake fluid, I wonder if that is one of the issues, certainly the clutch cylinder is just poor construction as its leaking due to poor weld or however they fix it to the base. I did take a video but not sure how to post!
I don't have any technical objection to Silicon Brake Fluid, however, Lockheed and others will void warranty if it is use. I don't know why, but that could be worth following up with them.

Re: Master Cylinders

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2024 6:28 pm
by Peter Laidler
Just a thought Spider. But maybe Lockheed want you to buy their fluid.. In our big workshops were were using the purple silicon fluid pretty-well throughout the range. Certainly in the US made 'hard-skinned' vehicles.