Another remote brake reservoir question!!

[leyther8008]

Do you need to take the master cylinder off to fit one? or can it be done insitu.
Also if I put silicon brake fluid in it do I just bleed it through or do you need to blow all the old stuff out with say an air line? and would 1 ltr be enough
?
Thanks in advance.
B

[alex_holden]

You're supposed to replace all the rubber parts (seals and hoses) when you change to silicone brake fluid. Apparently changing from one type to the other does something bad to the rubber and can cause premature failure. I have used it on two vehicles now and would use it again, but in both cases I was doing a complete brake rebuild anyway. 1 litre should be enough.

[leyther8008]

Thanks alex, thats exactly what I,m going to do apart from the two little link pipes on the front brakes which are already copper and the master cylinder itself which looks fairly recent its all going to be new. I only need the reservoir fitting proceedure confirmation now folks

[Orkney]

arent there rubber parts in the MC to consider with the fluid type change?

[alex_holden]

arent there rubber parts in the MC to consider with the fluid type change?

Yes, the master cylinder has rubber seals in it too. If it's a genuine Lockheed type you can buy a repair kit fairly cheaply. I've never fitted a remote reservoir so don't know about that...

[leyther8008]

Oh poop I got so carried away I forgot about the master cylinder seals! looks like conventional fluid again then as I dont really want to strip the front suspension again, as I recently did it to do the top hat bushes and didnt enjoy it one bit and van chassis are a bit to deep to do the levering trick with to get the torsion bar out of the way.

[Willie]

Since you have to remove the large plug nut in the end of the reservoir
in order to fit the new adapter to take the fluid feed pipe it is better to remove the master cyliinder as there is probably not enough room in situ to allow you to undo said plug nut.

[bmcecosse]

The silicon fluid is just not worth the hassle - use good standard fluid and just bleed the brakes through each year before the MOT. It can cause LOTS of problems with rubber seals - and flexi hoses I believe, and it's just not worth it. If it is really such a good idea - why don't new cars come with silicon fluid ??
Some report nasty leaks from 'remote reservoirs' - so consider this additional factor before fitting one!

[bigginger]

van chassis are a bit to deep to do the levering trick with to get the torsion bar out of the way.

Not in my experience, they're not
a

[overider]

Do you need to take the master cylinder off to fit one? or can it be done insitu.
Thanks in advance.
B

I did it insitu no problems, bit fiddly but easy enough

[leyther8008]

Excellent! I,m going to give a try, thanks for that.

[les]

Just as a point of interest, I have had silicon fluid in my brake system for 7/8 years, and so far have had no hassle. I started with new components. It's more expensive, so this is probably why manufacturers don't use it, plus, as it doesn't absorb water, the parts don't sieze as quickly, so dealers would not see the car back as much as they would like!

[bmcecosse]

If it's ALL new - it will be fine. Trubble comes if you mix old components with the silicon. Some say it doesn't give as 'good' a pedal - do you find that ok ?

[alex_holden]

The pedal's fine with silicone.

[RussLCV]

I have used silicone fluid in teh van for the past 7 years......fantastic pedal and no cylinders replaced or seals. Even after long period of be laid up. I would recomend it to any but only when ALL is replaced, I intend doing that on the pick up as well

[RogerRust]

When I rebuilt Sophie I replaced all the brake components and used Silicone fluid.
It bled really easily and has the best pedal I've ever had in a morris or a mini.