QuestionQUESTION: On my 77 Midget, brake fluid is leaking around the failure switch and draining the master cylinder. I assume the sliding piston seals in the assembly are bad. Are they just O-rings or are they something special and where can I get them? Thanks.
ANSWER: Hi Tom,
As I remember they are just "O" rings and they are usually available from most of the British car parts houses like Moss Motors, The Roadster Factory, Victoria British, Engel Imports or British Parts North West to name a few. They all have web sites and toll free lines and all are reputable companies and deliver quickly.
Howard
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks. After much searching, I locally found O-rings that fit. After putting it back together I get no bypass leakage as before, but now when I pump the brakes, I get no brake pressure. I filled the master cylinder, both sides, and a few bubbles come to the surface after much pumping. But no pedal resistance at all. Does the master cylinder need primed? I know the MC worked before since it sprayed brake fluid out the failure switch.
AnswerHi Tom,
Sometimes when the system is opened you may need to bleed the master cylinder itself at the lines and confirm that the pedal is retracting all the way because if the piston is held down even a slight bit, no fluid can enter the master cylinder from the reservoir.
I found it best to bleed at the master first and then move down the brake lines and bleed at each joint until I get a little pressure and then bleed normally at the left rear first then the right rear and then right front and left front last.
Howard
