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MG MGA - Brake Cylinders - buy new or rebuild?


Opinions / advice appreciated. Who is the best supplier?

Thanks
Jeff Bennett

Jeff,

If the bores are OK, then easy to rebuild all brake and clutch system with new seals. I did the complete car last summer, pretty straight forward.

One thing was the clutch slave, which was a repro part. Although it worked fine the piston had started to pick up on the bore. Luckily I had an old used original that I rebuilt instead. If you do need to replace any cylinders try to get original Lockheed.

I got my seals/rubber gaiters/hoses from Moss, because I was too lazy to shop around.

The master cylinder often comes up on this BBS. I have rebuilt three with new seals and absolutely no problems. I wrapped a rag round a drill bit coated with metal polish and let the drill spin to clean the bores.

Neil
Neil McGurk

Neil,

Thanks. I have already rebuilt the master cylinder and clutch slave. Very easy work and the Moss parts seemed to be of high quality (made in England). Moss is not currently showing a rebuild kit for the brake cylinder. Maybe they prefer to sell the $200 replacement kit.

I'll have to check the workshop manual for instructions on how to rebuild the brake cylinder. I'm not familiar with the part at all.


Jeff Bennett

Correction - Moss does list a repair kit for the original type brake cylinders. How can I tell if I have the original type or some other after market type? Would they be stamped Lockheed?
Jeff Bennett

Do you have discs or drums? For the rear, even if the cylinders are not original, the seals should normally be interchangeable.

Neil
Neil McGurk

Hi Jeff, FWIW - I put new rubbers in the master cylinder as a new one is rather expensive - straight forward job if a bit messy - the new rubbers are a very tight fit and need to be worked back and forth until they move freely enough for the spring to return them. I put new rear brake cylinders in rather than replace the rubbers -a quick, easy job . I kept the old ones and will re-rubber them and so have spares. Cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Drums front and back.
Jeff Bennett

If the bores are clean, a kit can be used, though Bob West told me that all currently available kits are not up to the job and have caused problems.

If the bores are suspect, go for a set of new cylinders. I justify this by asking a simple question: Is the low cost of new cylinders really more that your life is worth? The brakes are the one thing on your car that must be absolutely in top condition.

Even with using silicon fluid, seals wear out, so there is a case for using new seals only, particularly if the cylinders are otherwise in top condition. Otherwise, treat yourself to a little peace of mind!
dominic clancy

Jeff,

I changed my seals as routine maintenance, everything was working perfectly beforehand and the car was being used daily.

To be frank, I think if I was doing a restoration (car standing for a long period) or I had any kind of problem I would have used new cylinders. The front cylinders from Moss are pretty cheap. I believe the rears are common with the Morris Minor and can be bought for half the price that Moss sells for (if your lucky, including the rubber boot).

Correct me if I am mistaken guys.

Neil
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 16/02/2008 and 17/02/2008

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