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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - WHAT IS THE POINT...?!

...of selling me a Master brake cylinder repair kit knowing I'll destroy any chance of repairing it when I score everything just trying to get all the $@#%@$# plastic washers and circlips out and THEN knowing it's next to impossible to remove the tiny little split pin to replace the actual bits?!?!? All I have to show for my work is marked up pieces metal and a purple tumbnail!

ARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!
(vent over)

Chris
Chris Elkerton

I have SOOooo Freaken Been there...I feel for ya buddy, rebuliding those are a pain in the ....

hang in there
Prop

Managed it all myself apart from the split pin. but decided that the only leaking seal was the external one, so there is some point in the kit.

Anyone actually managed the split pin?
Will Munns

I totally rebuilt mine, and the only issue I remember having was that circlip. I'm not saying it was easy, but I think it is possible if you are willing to sacrifice a pair of long nose pliers.
Trevor Jessie

Chris, there are other options. ;-)


Bill Young

I used the "dental pick" method on the circlips and it worked! I used the "melt the plastic ring" trick and it worked...but that SPLIT PIN?!?!? Am I to assume a drill press is necessary? And what do I do with the scored shaft from the dental picks? Hope for the best?

Is all my work useless because I've damaged the piston?

Chris
Chris Elkerton

You trust your life & the live's of others to your brakes.

Why take a chance?

Buy a new master cylinder!
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

True, if there is ANY doubt in your mind about whether your rebuild is "good enough", then go buy a new one, or have yours professionally rebuilt.

The bore in mine looked very good and almost perfect after I honed it. They have worked well for the past 7 years.
Trevor Jessie

As Trevor says, you will need to take an angle-grinder to a pair of long-nosed pliers in order to remove/install the circlip. The plastic spacer is best removed in pieces, after drilling several holes around its periphery.
As for the pin holding the two halves together...I don't remember having too many issues with that.
Dave O'Neill 2

Save your frustrations for something else. Send it out for a professional rebuild or buy a new one. Your car and your life are worth it.
J Bubela

another good way to get the plastic washer out is to screw a couple long self tapping screws into it and put the heads in a vice and give it a good yank. at least it worked for me. and you can get circlip plyers to get the circlips out.
ajs alan smith

This thread was discussed between 07/04/2010 and 08/04/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.