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MG MGA - Time for a Hydr0lic/Brake rebuild

Hey All,

I've come to the conclusion that the first project this season is going to be a hydrolic system/brake rebuild rather than the leaking rear hub

I've read Barney's pages about this, but I didn't see particularly clear insights into the rebuidling of the master cylinder or the other local cylinders.

Are there any other good resourses you'd recommend?
Tysen

Hi Tysen. Rebuilding the hydraulic cylinders and calipers is quite straigtforward, and could likely be done without manuals, if one is observant about the order parts are in, when things come apart. I recommend using the MGA factory manual, if you have any doubt as to how things go together. Please note that the brake/clutch sides of the master cylinder are slightly different, so make note of the differences in parts, as the master cylinder is dismantled. One of your main concerns needs to be cylinder bore condition. If any of the hydraulic cylinder bores are badly pitted or worn, the worn cylinder casting or castings will either need to be replaced, or fitted with sleeves, (preferably stainless steel sleeves) The condition of the bores in the calipers isnt as critical, since the caliper pistons dont require perfect bores to effect a good hydraulic seal. The caliper pistons seal against a rubber seal which is mounted in the caliper bore, so it is the rubber seal, that seals to the curcumference of the piston. With the (rear) aluminum wheel cylinders, you may find that they are very badly pitted and corroded. Make sure that the cylinders you rebuild are spotlessly clean. Do not use solvent to clean hydraulic parts. Use only alcohol, or clean brake fluid, and a stiff fibre bristle brush. Use clean brake fluid or Girling rubber grease to assemble the hydraulics. I highly recommend the use of silicone brake fluid after the hydraulic rebuild is complete. Silicone fluid makes hydraulic rubber parts last an extremely long time, and doesnt absorb moisture or damage paint, like regular fluid! Hope this helps. Glenn
Glenn

Tysen,
Check out Apple Hydraulics in NY. They re-sleeved my MC in Stainless Steel. I too chose to go with Dot 5 Silicone fluid. There's much controversy out there regarding silicone vs. conventional brake fluid. It's critical that all of the old fluid and residue be completely flushed and purged from the entire system.
A recommendation, don't cut corners on brakes. It's a single line system with no back-up except for the handbrake and stationary objects.
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

Doug,
Just currious about Apple, how long have they been doing stainless sleeves? I had mine done by them about 4 years ago, and all they did at that time was brass.

Jeff
Jeff Schultz

This thread was discussed on 19/10/2005

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