Morris Minor Owners Club

I'm not sure yet but I may have to repalce my master cylinder....

I've had a look and the bolts are in the original position, so I guess I will have to lever the Torsion bar out of the way (I really can't be removing that as well to get the bolts out) the tech tip guide then says simply put them in the other way round when refitting. Would it be prudent to put a washer or two on the other side so that the nut has enough thread to bite, but so that it should be well clear of the bar?

how difficult is this whole procedure? I'm guessing I can do it in a day (and hoping for a little help) or should I really find a garage that can do it for me (have got a 'local man' who is good with older cars)

Relatively straight forward, though fiddly. Undo the pipe/flexi joint towards the rear of the car first so you can pull the M/C forwards complete with pipe through the chassis rail when it comes to removal time

The problem with replacing the MC bolts the other way round is that the nuts are broader than the heads of the bolts and can foul the torsion bars. I have read somewhere of someone who cut back the bolt thread and nut so the nut was half the depth and put locktite on when they reassembled. They are only shear bolts so I can see how this could be deemed 'safe'. I'll let you make your own mind up though

Has anyone ever tried Allen-(hex-socket) head bolts for the Master Cyl.? Seems the heads would be narrow enough to slip by the torsion bars without any prying.

Once you've levered the torsion bar to remove them, you may as well repeat the process to put them back the right way.
The torsion bar moves under load so even if it 'looks ok' on reassembly with the bolts incorrectly fitted it won't neccessarily stay thta way. I've seen loads of cars with them in the wrong way round and most had badly damaged (grooved) torsion bars!! Not safe if you ask me.

Rob_Jennings wrote:how difficult is this whole procedure? I'm guessing I can do it in a day (and hoping for a little help)

You should be more than capable of this job mate
I'm unable to offer assistance though. Sorry mate

this might be of use:
http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... 8468#78468

Putting them in the wrong way is ok if the eyebolt bush is good, but after a while when it starts to wear you can get a strange noise from time to time as it hits off the torsion bar.

D'you know, I'd say it was best to just put them back correctly...
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Agreed, I can't believe how many people just don't want to do that!

the amount of times i've had to remove my master cylinder makes me happy i put them the "wrong" way round. totally agree about the closeness with the torsion bar though...hum...Mr Jennings sir...i would say...as your cylinder doesnt seem to be as problematic as mine was, i would put them in the correct way, as you *fingers crossed* shouldnt have to remove it again too soon...

When I did mine I simply dropped the front end of the torsion bar.

It only took 20 mins and if you don't get to heavy handed and knock the wishbone off the splines it will go straight back where it came from.

I remember when the job was finished saying to my self "well? what was all the fuss about?"

You all have just solved a problem, a knocking or rattle over bumps coming from the front offside, I had a crow bar on all the joints, no movement, nothing loose anywhere, thought well they will find it on the MOT and get a MOT failure. Checked out the master cylinder and sure enough bolts in wrong way and catching the torsion bar. Only had the moggy 6 weeks so after 6 weeks of searching for a duff bearing success, it was giving me grief. At least no suspension bearings to replace. Just a sod to swap bolts to the right way.

Checked out the master cylinder and sure enough bolts in wrong way and catching the torsion bar.

Well done for finding it - it's not obvious unless you know where to look.

Just a sod to swap bolts to the right way.

with a bit of practice (and a decent lever / bar) it's a very quick job.
However I don't wish you a lot of practice!! I'll leave that to silly ###s like me who have replaced Minor m/c's adding up to nearly double figures