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MG MGA - Moss Europe TRW master cylinder

I recently made the big mistake of purchasing a TRW master cylinder from Moss. The result was leaking brake fluid over heater shelf and bulkhead (great paint stripper) and seized front disc brakes.

I was wondering why it was so cheap!! £71 including Mk 2 cover.

Moss in London (parts manager)said they don't have a problem with these MCs - why did I think I might get a sensible response!!

(Since replaced with an Al Caparo MS from Bob West - all perfect now).

I'm considering pushing Moss to pay for the remedial works to my paintwork and extra cost of replacing their master cylinder, which includes car recovery to my garage. Not a small amount!

I don't expect to get far unless I go down the legal route, but I am prepared to give it a try.

To give me some sort of counter to Moss' assertion that there is no problem, I would ideally like to have some sort of numbers of the TRW mc that have failed worldwide.

A big ask I know but your help towards achieving this would be helpful.

Thanks guys in anticipation

John
John Follett

Hi John
Sorry to hear of your troubles.

I bought a TRW master cylinder (though not from Moss) that I had to immediately replace because of the problem you outline with front discs locking up. I believe this is a very common problem for disc brake cars, but not for those with drums on the front, and Barney has details on how to "convert it" to work on discs. This conversion should obviously not be required on a brand new component that is supposed to fit. I did not carry out Barneys conversion as did not have sufficient confidence in myself to play around with an important braking component, so bit the bullet and like you, bought another mc from Bob West that worked first time, without problem.
But in fairness, personally I didn't experience any leaks from the TRW unit. Sounds like I was lucky!
Graham V

I don't know whether this is relevant to your MGA installation, but the TRW RV8 clutch M/c when it arrives on these shores has a metric thread The units have to be re-threaded UNF.
Depending on how well this is done there are some potential failure points.
1. The hole it not drilled and tapped straight,
2. The thread is not taken deep enough with the plug tap, so the connector bottoms out on the end of the thread BEFORE the flare seals at the bottom face, and
3. The bottom of the hole is formed by a drill not ground to the correct angle.

All three can cause fluid escape from the "Out" union.
Allan Reeling

I meant to add,
4. The fluid transfer hole at the end of this threaded hole had to be enlarged to allow adequate fluid movement.
It might be worth asking Moss the question about possible "modifications", who does them and HOW they are done.
Allan Reeling

Thanks guys.

Just to let you know I have now returned the MC to Moss UK with advice letter setting out my likely direct consequential losses and my other issues with the MC.

Copied letter to execs and directors(including exec residing in California). Always worthwhile in my experience.

Details of other responses etc on The MG Experience website.

Will keep all advised as to progress or otherwise.

John

John Follett

Good luck John. It is about time Moss and others, take responsibility for crap parts!
Colin Parkinson

Hi guys.

Update on the above - Moss have agreed to reimburse all my costs (including stripping out and repainting bulkhead shelf)!!!

Moss initially paid for the new master cylinder and labour charges by my garage.

Testing by their supplier came up with nothing conclusive, but 'as a gesture of goodwill and not accepting any liablity', they agreed to pay! A result!!

Wasn't expecting that without a fight - but!

John
johnfollett1948@gmail.com

John Follett

Excellent result.
Dave O'Neill 2

It may come as no real surprise to you guys that I carry a spare master cylinder around in the car on my longer trips.
It is a TRW m/s and although I have modified it as Barney suggested, it looks as if I have probably wasted my time and money on it.
Im just glad that I havent needed it.

I wonder if Bob West will do me a part exchange?
Or will he put the TRW m/s straight into the scrap bin?

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

John
Great result, pleased for you, well done.

Colyn
Surprised you only carry one spare MC with you.
Graham V

This thread was discussed between 06/08/2018 and 12/05/2019

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