Morris Minor Owners Club

Hey guys and girls
I need a little bit of advice, I've lost all of the hydraulic fluid out of my rear offside cylinder, it has occurred I think when I was parked up with the handbrake on. I had come home to find my neighbours parked in the alley at the side of the house, restricting me from getting my car parked up on my land along the gable end of the house. Forcing me to park on the end blocking them all in.
When I went out to the car on Saturday morning the cars had disappeared from behind my car but my car was still in its place, I presume they must have pushed it out of the way to get there cars out and then put it back,
When I got to the car I found the hand break on but loose, I was [Don't swear or you will be banned - Admin] off because they know where I live and could have asked me to move it for them but thought no harm done ill have a word with them when I next see them, now it comes to light that they've possibly damaged my car!

What should I do about it, could forcing the car have caused the leak? Is there anyway to salvage the old cylinder?

I should also point out that there not supposed to park there and it's in our deeds to maintain access to the substation and park behind
Please get back ASAP as I need advise on how to proceed, I've had to take the day off work as well cause its my only car!

Thanks!

If i were you i'd phone the police non-emergancy number and speak to them about it. In relation to the cylinders i would get a new one from your car shop... If not both the rear ones... hardly a big job and you'll be done in no time. Sorry i can't advise more.

I'm afraid I think you'll find that the Police wouldn't be able to do anything as it happened off road and is thus considered a "civil matter" which would not come under their jurisdiction.

I'd have a word with the neighbours pointing out that they only had to ask and you'd move the vehicle, and pointing out that moving any vehicle with the handbrake applied is not advisable. Take it quietly to start with

Don't forget to buy some more brake fluid , when you order the new brake cylinder ( s), to bleed the system.
Bob

My advice - sort your car and don't get worked up about the neigbours. Next time it happens knock their door and politely ask them to move their car as it is blocking your access. If they are reasonable then they will move it if they become unreasonable walk away as it's not worth the grief. If it is persitent behaviour your local council may have some one who will speak to them. We have had similar issues at my MinLaws and the police were very helpful in moving unwanted parked cars on and since the police visited my MinLaw doesn't seem to have had quite so many problems.

Moving the car with handbrake on would NOT have the slightest effect on the rear cylinder - it was already failed - you just hadn't realised. They did you a favour by moving your car without disturbing you - and they even put it back!! No matter the ins and outs - you had no right to block them in. And if fluid is on the shoes - you need new shoes now too, along with the new cylinders.

Are you sure it's coming from the cylinder , and they haven't cut your brake line in an attempt to move it

And if they have cut the brake pipe or handbrake cable then that is crimnal damage and the Police will act - although proving who did it might be difficult. If the pipe has been cut then it could even be classed as attempted murder.

Then the use of foul language on this website will be approved
Just check to see where its leaking from , before we get our pitch forks out.

I notice you say the handbrake was on - but loose. That suggests they were in the car - released the brake - pushed it clear, then pushed it back again, reset the brake 'loose', and then locked up the car again? Or was it left unlocked? Are your locks any good? I know mine can be opened with anything even vaguely key shaped !! Hopefully you have fitted the standard Minor anti-theft device...........

I 'reported' it - but no action taken so far........

The offending post has now been removed.

If someone posts something that is considered offensive, please don't keep quoting it. It just makes it harder for the moderators to remove it. No point in removing it and leaving copies all thruogh the topic

Just a thought... you can't lose "all the fluid out of one cylinder", the thing to check is the level in the master cylinder - has that dropped very low? Due to the low position of the m/c, it is almost impossible for fluid to drain out of a cylinder by gravity, you would need to press the pedal. Is there still pressure in the system? The pedal should stop well before the floor, and stay there with pressure on it. Could the fluid you have seen be oil? If the hub seal has failed then oil can leak from the backplate. I think we need an update on what you have found.