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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Rebuilt brake cylinders or buy new

Over the years I have accumulated at least one complete spare set of old break cylinders.

All of which were swapped out for corrosion/leaking.

I think it is possible to hone the front cylinders but the rears have the slot for the handbrake and that make it much more difficult.

Is there someone who does Stainless steel liners for our brake cylinders and is it cost effective to have it done?

Moss sells a complete set of aluminum STD cylinders for $170.95.

I just hate to throw these old cylinders away if salvageable.

I also have an original master cylinder in the same state. Surly there has to be a way of bring them back to life, that won't brake the bank.

Rod



R D Jones

It all depends on how much you have to spend, and how original you want to be. I have my wheel and master cylinders re-sleeved by Mark Frappier in Agawam, MA (I just sent off two m/c's), and am very happy with his work.

I prefer original, personally, although I understand many others wish to spend as little as possible for decent quality cylinders, which are the Moss repro's. I replaced the Moss cups with NAPA cups the one time I did not have tome to sleeve originals, and they are working fine. I did have to file on of the rears until it slid freely in the backing plate slot.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Moss has a set of 6 for TD/TF on sale (ends today I believe) for $129. That also included new boots for the rear. I ordered a set and they look very nice. I think you do have to file the slot on the rear ones a bit, but not a big deal. master on sale for less than $120. Not worth rebuilding time/effort unless going for concours or something at those prices. George
George Butz

George,
I bought that Moss set. Have all six in, drums all back in place.
A week or so later, I open the baggie to slip the rear boot over the handbrake lever. Also in the bag are a rubber cup a a filler(") rubber.

Are these extras - or do I need to tear my rears apart again? Don't they ship the rear cylinders assembled?

Hate to have to take things apart again, but obviously will do it if I have to.
Bob;
RwB Brown

For many years, all rear cylinders, repro or Lockheed, did not include the boot. You had to order a separate "repair kit" to get the boot, which includes the piston cup. Keep it for a spare. George
George Butz

Repros will just put aluminum parts back in place, prone to pitting. I just had everything sleeved in stainless so I KNOW I'll never have that problem again. +1 on Mark for doing the work. Did my MC as well.
L Rutt

I sent my MC and one rear BC to White Post Restorations. They came back looking like new plus they have a lifetime warranty.
http://www.whitepost.com/brake.html
Richard Taylor TD3983

I'm just finishing up the installation of one of the Moss sets in the course of my DOt4/DOT5 switch. I'll check out the system before I tie in the servo and let you know what I see. BTW, I seem to recall that the WhitePost warranty doesn't apply for DOT5 use. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bob, I just installed a new Moss rear cylinder (due to a leaking axle seal mess) and it was shipped "complete". I didn't even open it up. It works fine.
Ed
efh Haskell

I believe Bud is right about the warranty being void if you use Dot 5; they were very much against it when I told them that is what I would be using.
I have a question for those that have used White Post and still used Dot 5.
Did you install the MC straight out of the box and then fill up and bleed? The reason I am asking is WP used some type of assembly lube but not Dot 4 or Dot 5. I called and ask what they used and the guy said it was a light weight assembly lubricant. So, will this small amount of assembly lube mess with the silicone?

Richard Taylor TD3983

I think I recall White Post saying Dot5 was OK after all a couple years ago? I know they did not like it some time back. They did my master cylinder around 6 years ago, and I used Dot 5, and have not touched it since. George
George Butz

Most of my vintage British cars, including my TD have stainless sleeved cylinders which have been trouble free with DOT5. Since I intend to keep the cars forever I would vote for the sleeved cylinder route.
John Quilter (TD8986)

My conversation with WhitePost was about 2 months ago. Bud
Bud Krueger

The Moss MC I purchased for the MGB also said the warranty was void if I used DOT 5. I used it anyway, and 6000 miles later still have perfect brakes.

I use Brake & Equipment Warehouse in Minneapolis for all my sleeving, turning and shoe lining and arcing needs. Last time I just boxed everything into a flat rate USPS box and didn't even bother to drive up there.

On TD, TFs I typically buy new rear wheel cylinders and sleeve the fronts.

Warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

Thanks for the direction Guys,

I did talk to White Post about re-sleeving the full set and the Master Cylinder. However it came to $725.00 with return post and is a tad over my budget.

To be fair - I have only had to replace one MC and 4 of the cylinders in the past 40 years on this TD - due to internal corrosion. Sad to say I had not changed the fluid very often - which caused the problems in the first place.

For the cost involved it will be better to just purge the system every year and sleeve two front and one rear cylinder - also the Master Cylinder - to keep as spare in the event. this should cover eventualities.

I don't think the rubber kits are that expensive to replace when needed, but do you have any pointers on storing these parts to best prevent them from deteriorating. Left assembled in a zip-lock bag with some hydraulic fluid? - Immersed in a jar full of in fresh hydraulic fluid?

Rod.
R D Jones

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2013 and 02/08/2013

MG TD TF 1500 index

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