Disk brake conversion

[Toby burnham]

Just fitting a disc brake conversion to a 1969 1098 i am going to remove the master cylinder fit a new seal kit and carry out the modification at the same time. Is the remote resivoier really needed or does it need the extra fluid .

[Steve Phillips]

Hi

Everyone will have their own opinion on this but,

In my opinion you don't need an external reservoir for the brakes to work and be safe, it makes filling the master cylinder easy as you don't have to keep lifting the carpets up, and you can see the fluid level at a glance, so it should do away with the potential issue of running out of fluid, so it is convenient,

But then if we pay attention to checking our vehicles regularly the levels should never be an issue,

Yes discs are self adjusting so the fluid level is always going down but they don't go down that quick, how often do you check the fluid level in your modern car? And yes they have an external reservoir but I have customers who literally don't open the bonnet ever, and still do 12,000 plus miles a year, where as most Minors do Limited milage per year and tend to get checked regularly,

I ran my van with Marina discs and Ford rear drums and no external reservoir, and have some customers with discs and no reservoir (their choice not mine) And some with a reservoir,

And Minors all survived the last 70 plus years with no external reservoir, yes mainly on drums, but they they probably did more milage than today and weren't as pampered,

Steve

[Bill_qaz]

3rd year of ownership, came with Marina discs, never felt the need for external resevoir.
I always check for signs of leaks on floor when getting it out of garage,feel of the pedal when driving and regular checks of level which is a 5min task.
So it's not a requirement it's just personal(as Steve states) if it makes you feel better about checking level but be aware there are also many previous posts about leaks when one is fitted

[geoberni]

The requirement for the extra Reservoir is simply because of the far greater drop in Fluid as the Disc Pads wear.
Discs have such large pistons that the volume of fluid drop from new pads to worn pads is far greater compared to the Drum Shoe pistons.
So ultimately, it's all down to the diligence of maintenance.

It's worth noting that European export cars from the Mid '60s had remote reservoirs with their drum brakes, simply because local legislation required a far easier way of checking fluid levels, than lifting the carpets.

[Sleeper]

I have remotes resevoirs for both the brakes and clutch , just makes checking and topping up quicker/ easier. You don't need big remotes ( unless you have a major leak..... )

IMG_20240421_134435.jpg (1.36 MiB) Viewed 309 times

John ;-)

[svenedin]

In 35 years of driving the same tourer I have never seen the need for disc brakes providing the drum brakes are well maintained and regularly adjusted. That is for a standard 1098cc but I can see why disc brakes may be considered essential (or highly recommended) for a 1275cc.

One thing that has not been mentioned so far is that the quality of the tubing to the remote reservoir as supplied in disc brake kits is not satisfactory. Many owners have found that this plastic tubing weeps and leaks almost immediately. Much better to use kunifer brake pipe. If I was ever to change to disc brakes (highly unlikely) I would not want to use rubbish plastic tubing.

Best Wishes,

Stephen

[King Kenny]

I have had disc breaks for over forty years and have never needed a remote reservoir. When I did my ford based Owen Berton conversion, sometime in the late eighties, I replaced every part of the braking system and filled it with silicone brake fluid. I have never needed to clean out the rear cylinders in all that time. Nor have the pads worn down, still on the original ones. The best job I have ever done on the car since I bought her in 1979.

[OGY985K]

I don’t know if Morris disk brake kits have decent pads…but on a Triumph I restored I found that modern pads are no good without a servo. I run Mintex pads and they transform stopping power, albeit for £65 a set.

[Sleeper]

" One thing that has not been mentioned so far is that the quality of the tubing to the remote reservoir as supplied in disc brake kits is not satisfactory. Many owners have found that this plastic tubing weeps and leaks almost immediately. Much better to use kunifer brake pipe. If I was ever to change to disc brakes (highly unlikely) I would not want to use rubbish plastic tubing. "

Tygon 2375 is the thing to use, no "sweating" , transparent so acts as an extension of the reservoir , not cheap but good.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121518690884

John ;-)