remote reservoir needed for my disc brakes??

[wibble_puppy]

hi everyone! yes i am still alive

been trying to get my head round my brakes today (with huge thanks to an amiable Dutch mechanic ) and have a question for you knowledgeable types.

I have disc brakes on the front wheels of my van.

They are Marina ones.

I'm planning to overhaul the whole brake system... paying a sensible mechanic to do the skilled work obviously, as there's no way I'd trust myself to work on my brakes or anyone else's.

I think I remember hearing somewhere that some types of disc brakes (Ford?), when fitted to Minors, require the addition of a remote reservoir, extra to the master cylinder, to provide the quantity of fluid needed for disc brake calipers.

Does this apply to the Marina type?

Very grateful for all advice, tips, gossip, information on next week's winning lottery numbers, etc etc

wibble_puppy

[Willie]

Disc brakes displace more fluid than the drum system when being operated so it is advisable to have the remote fluid reservoir added since it gives a greater safety margin. It also makes it much easier to
check the level. As the disc pads wear away the level will drop unlike the drum system where readjustment of the shoes means that the fluid level remains relatively stable. This means that with disc brakes using
the original underfloor Master Cylinder reservoir and disc pads which are SEVERELY worn the fluid level would be dangerously low since most of the fluid would have moved along to the operating pistons to compensate for this wear. A visible level indication is therefore very desirable.

[bigginger]

Just to confirm that - YES, the Marina, and in fact all, disc set ups need the remote.

[wibble_puppy]

geeeeenius - thanks guys

wibble xxxxx

[ben739]

my traveller has discs, where would the remote reservoir be if i have one? i top up the fluid in the floor pan as usual.

Ben????

[les]

What does this involve as far as fitting is concerned, does the master cylinder need removing for the plumbing and is there one kit that stands out from the rest? thanks.

[WPR678B]

Personally i have run Marina disc brakes for over 10 years on various Minor's and have never fitted a remote reservoir and never seen the need for one. From what i have heard they cause more problems as they forever seem to leak! As long as you keep an eye on the fluid level at regular intervals according to your mileage then it won't be needed. All depends on personal preference at the end of the day!

[JimK]

I would say the remote reservoir is a handy thing to have, but if you have the discipline to check the level regularly then it's not strictly needed.

Ever since I let the fluid level get too low due to a slight leak I check it weekly. It only takes a couple of minutes and I've got a little bottle of brake fluid in the toolkit to top it up wherever I am.

EDIT: Hay Carlo, there's an echo in here

[WPR678B]

[bigginger]

If you say it's personal preference, then it is indeed. I wouldn't run discs without one, and wouldn't suggest that anybody else does so either. Not much of a one for "oh, it'll be OK" when it comes to brakes, me.

[JimK]

Not much of a one for "oh, it'll be OK" when it comes to brakes, me.

Neither am I, in the slightest, and I don't see how anything I wrote implies that I am. Neither is Carlo - we both have young children we carry in our cars, with whom we take no chances.

The remote reservoir has many advantages: as stated, it's easier to check and top up the fluid level and allows longer intervals between checks.

However, all it does is top up the master cylinder, so if I do that myself the reservoir is not in the strictest sense neccesary. With adequate fluid level in the MC the brakes will not fail due to a last of a remote reservoir.

That's what I meant by "not necessary". I wouldn't advise somebody against fitting one.

[lalaw]

If you have one of this kit doesn't it stick up from the floor?
http://www.morris-minor.org/shop/brake- ... pi-44.html
Br Lars

[alex_holden]

If you have one of this kit doesn't it stick up from the floor?
http://www.morris-minor.org/shop/brake- ... pi-44.html
Br Lars

No, the pipe fitting screws in place of the blanking plug in the back of the master cylinder.

[jonathon]

I'd say Willie has given an excellent outline as to why a header tank should be fitted. Again, this point has been made on other threads, make sure that you search out the better header tank kits, they are available.

[les]

Not a very good design in my opinion, plenty of scope for leaks that would e difficult to get at. A plastic tube clamped to a piece of plain pipe! A tapped hole and solid union might be better, that way a conventional brake pipe could be fitted and extended outside the chassis where a more accessible and professional connection could be made. Or maybe a modified filler cap could be used, with an inlet horizontal that kept below the floor line,

[jonathon]

Ditto

[aupickup]

well i must admit to running marina discs without a remote and never had a problem

[Kevin]

my traveller has discs, where would the remote reservoir be if i have one?

Normally on the offside wing in the engine bay.

[IslipMinor]

In answer to the original question - definitely YES, for any disc brake conversion.

Three reasons:

• 1. Visible fluid level - safety
  
  2. Greater fluid capacity - safety
  
  3. In normal use a disc braked set up should NOT need to be topped up. The primary purpose of the larger reservoir is to allow the fluid level to drop safely as the pads wear and the fluid is needed to replace the volume left by the piston movement. Secondly to allow the fluid to be pushed back into the reservoir when the pads are changed. If you keep topping it up, as will be necessary with the original m/c, where will the excess go when you change the pads? Into the chassis leg??
  
  Have had one fitted for nearly 9 years, no leaks, no problems at all and never needed to top it up (just change the fluid every 2/3 years).

[wibble_puppy]

thanks so much to you all, you've been extremely helpful

wibble