Operational Life of Rear Cylinder?

[dunketh]

Anyone know how long these are supposed to last?

I replaced both of them two years ago... one's just let go resulting in total fluid loss and some very scary handbrake grappling.

Grrrrr.... surely failure after 2 years of use is plain ridiculous?

[Rob_Jennings]

depends if they are really used I guess?

I know on my old fiesta I drove, 2 years was about all they lasted becuase they never moved I guess the minor can have the same problem that its so light they are never really used and when you do finally persuade them to move they start to leak.

perhaps a good hard pump on the pedal when stationary once a week to get all the parts to move might help?

[Kevin]

Well it does seem that the pattern ones don't last as well, one other thing, I know a few owners who run Silicon Brake fluid which seems to make components last far longer as it doesn't absorb water like standard brake fluid.

[Orkney]

dunketh have you got the rubber booties on them? 2 years sounds like a really poor amount of time to last.

[dunketh]

No, I've not got the boots fitted.
I did think about this but never got round to it as it means disconnecting and bleeding again.

A mate did the rear cylinders for me whereas I did the fronts myself. He might not have known about the dust covers at the time.

[Orkney]

Well that might be the trouble then certainly wont have helped them any.

FYI i got some 6 months ago from Bull Motif, and have to reccomend them quality wise - proper jobs ! Know some people have warned of poor quality ones so worth getting the ones that wil last.

[MoggyTech]

No, I've not got the boots fitted.

There's your problem, the rears have the handbrake levers and two pistons. If boots not fitted, all the road debris including salt, will find its way into the cylinder. Boots should be a snug fit and some grease inside them works well.

[bmcecosse]

Madness not to fit the boots - it's wide open without them. It's also an idea to leave the rear brakes not too tight - then the pistons get to move slightlyt which seems to help. And red brake grease (or I use silicon grease) on the pistons does seem to help prolong active life.

[dunketh]

Checked in the daylight yesterday and the boots are fitted and working perfectly, not cracked or anything.
I've cleaned up the inside of the drum and will check again later for any seepage. Optimistic to think there's no problem though (fluid doesn't appear out of nowhere)... trouble is I couldn't get the pipe off the old cylinder last night.

[bmcecosse]

Pipe is actually into the adapter piece - which then fits to the rear cylinder. Apply heat - and be prepared to make up a new pipe.