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MG MGB Technical - How to remove master cylinder snap ring?

Hello all,
I am trying to disassemble the brake master cylinder on my '72 B. The snap ring that holds the piston in is being very un-coperative.

I am able to grab the ears with my snap ring pliers and squeeze them, but it does not seem to want to lift out. It's not stuck, I can 'spin' it around in it's groove.

Is there some auto-magic required here?

Thanks in advance, Dave
David Steverson

The magic trick is to twist the pliers and get one end started out of the groove. Once you get it started you can walk the rest of it out.
Jeff Schlemmer

Dental picks! Use one to hook the hole on the snap ring and pull it away from the groove. Then with the other, lift the end up and out. They work well to skewer and otherwise manhandle the nylon and rubber washers as well. They also work quite well at adding perforations to your hands and fingers (life's a compromise). I got mine from Harbor Freight, in a two piece set, for a few dollars. Each one has a different end handy for many jobs.
Kemper

I found a set of dental picks at the local hardware store. I agree, they punch holes rather effortlessly into fingertips, seals, etc. They do have many great uses though!
Jeff Schlemmer

Hmmm.. I'll give the picks a try. I got the first one out using Jeff's 'twist' approach, but now there's another (harder to get to) that's even worse!

Now I know why it's over $200 for a rebuilt unit.

Dave
David Steverson

Dave, look at this thread to see how Joe removed the inner snap ring. It's just below this thread.
"Dual MC rebuild"

As I recall I used the ground tip needle nose pliers about 8 years ago when I did my MC. The problem is the step in the cylinder, there is no way for the home DIY mechanics to properly hone the cylinder. After getting mine back together it started leaking again in six months. A new cylinder solved the problem. For me trying to rebuild the old cylinder isn't worth the skinned knuckles and frustration of rebuilding a cylinder and having to do the job over in a year or less. My new cylinder has been trouble free for about 7 years. I do change the fluid every two years.

FWIW, Cliftom
Clifton Gordon

Yikes! This is close to brain surgery. Thanks for pointing that out Clifton.
I think I'll just buy a new one and be done with it.

Does anyone have a better price than Victoria British @ $229?

Dave
David Steverson

Dave, Try the usual local people, NAPA Advance and others. They may have rebuilds, you will need a core. Gordon at The B Hive in Clemson, SC lists them new for $215.96. Call him tomorrow morning and a big brown truck will arrive on Tuesday with the new cylinder. Always works that way for me. I have no financial interest, I'm a satisfied customer.

Apple Hydraulics has remanufactured cylinders for $125. Good people to deal with but I've had mixed rusults with some purchases from them.

If you aren't in a hurry you can call Peter at World Wide Auto Parts and see if he rebuilds master cylinders. He does great work on shocks but he doesn't list brake parts on his web site.

Clifton

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

This thread was discussed between 04/02/2006 and 05/02/2006

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.