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MG TD TF 1500 - Adjuster retainer broken off brake piston

I started to rebuild my front brake cylinders this weekend and found 3 of 4 frozen. I incorrectly attempted to
pry the piston from the cylinder and ended up seperating the adjuster/shoe retainer from the piston.

My question is should I purchase new pistons, try to epoxy them back together, or just hold them in place while installing and assume the pressure from the springs will hold them in place?

Thanks in advance,

Kurt
Kurt Byrnes

Kurt,
The only thing you broke was corrosion holding that U shaped thing that the cam sattles into to the top of the piston.

Your next question will be "How do I get the piston out?"

Rig up an adapter to your grease gun, and use the force of the grease to push the piston out.

Blair
Blair Weiss

Blair- I think he means the cap which is spot-welded to the piston- not the u-shaped thing- this is what I have broken before before learning the grease gun trick. Most importantly, the rusting steel pistons usually damage the pot metal cylinder- right at the area where the seal travels. In humid central Florida, I have never been able to re-use a really stuck cylinder without sleeving due to pitting/scratches when forcing piston out. Unless the bore is really perfect, either sleeve the cyl., or replace. As new cyls. have been re-produced and the price down, it may be better to replace. Brakes are not a good place to save a few bucks, as well as considering the expense of new linings if the rebuild job leaks.
George Butz

To adapt a grease gun to force out a frozen piston in the brake cylinder, get a 3/8 - 20 BSF bolt and drill a 1/8 inch hole lengthwise through the bolt. Drill and tap the top of the bolt to take a zerk fitting. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Chaps, To free up a siezed front brake cylinder, I wound some strongish wire around the cylinder/piston assembly lengthwise to restrict the piston travel, and used the fluid pressure in the brake system to free the piston. I must say, it took a hefty stamp on the brake pedal, but it did shift it - and I still managed to squirt a small amount of brake fluid about! A careful rub down with wire wool removed the corrosion inside the cylinder, and after two and a half years there doesn't seem to be any leaks, but I suppose it is about time to take the drums off and check things out again ..... AB
Adrian Bennett

To answer the original question: No the u shaped thingy does not have to be attached to the piston to work. I have a couple that are loose. Its just a convience when putting it together so you don't have to have extra hands and fingers holding it in place.

As others have pointed out you piston is probably shot anyway if it seized in the cylinder.

Chris
Chris Couper

This thread was discussed between 05/08/2002 and 10/08/2002

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