brake master cylinder question

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 15 Jan 2015, 3:32 pm

#1006935

I have a 62 with disk brake front end, the brake pedal used to be very hard now its quite spungy, still seems to brake okay but the master cylinder is wet with brake fluid at the front, think its leaking where the reservoir is attached to the unit. The reservoir is attached straight on top of the master cylinder, empi unit. That tells me straight away its bad quality. Is there a seal I can replace? or will it need a new master cylinder? I read somewhere the remote reservoir is a better setup, true?

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Jan 2015, 6:08 pm

#1006939

master cylinder, empi unit.

yes that's the problem

buy a new ATE German unit

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 15 Jan 2015, 6:51 pm

#1006942

Is it a single circuit master cylinder, upgrade to a dual circuit one , make certain it is a ATE as above, also place the reservoir back up under the bonnet, brake fluid is hydroscopes and in its current location it will absorb moisture through the reservoirs breather holes as it is exposed to all the moisture under the car..

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 15 Jan 2015, 11:05 pm

#1006951

yes its been upgraded to a dual I think. Okay so I need the new ATE master cylinder, remote reservoir, and hoses to suit? Will there be an opening under the bonnet on a 62 that the hoses will run from the reservoir to the master cylinder below the fuel tank?

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 16 Jan 2015, 5:58 am

#1006954

I just mounted the reservoir behind the spare tyre as per the original.

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 16 Jan 2015, 1:31 pm

#1006965

Mine still has the original reservoir there, this wont feed a dual circuit master cylninder hey?

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 16 Jan 2015, 2:59 pm

#1006966

I used two single standard reservoirs, you will need to use the later type which has two reservoirs in one or two of the early type.

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 16 Jan 2015, 3:26 pm

#1006967

Okay cool thanks, I'll have to remove the window washer tank for it to fit, but that doesnt work anyway.

blompod Commited Dubber

57 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 17 Jan 2015, 12:22 pm

#1006988

I was speaking to Mick at Mick Motors and he said if its not leaking inside the car at the rubber boot neat the pedal your master cylinder shoud be fine, more likely a gromet under the resivour needs replacing, or possibly a cracked resivour. Yeah?

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 17 Jan 2015, 7:18 pm

#1006995

Empi gear can be pretty awful stuff but from what you've said and there being no fluid in the brake pedal pushrod boot then saound like air being drawn in at the MC to res grommets.

So before we go gung-ho into a new reservoir pop the old one off the MC and dig the grommets out. By checking both the spigots on the bottom of the res and the state of the grommets you'll know which ones need replacing. Do this as it's the cheaper option and once back together and all bled then if it still has a soft pedal and no fluid leak then time for the expensive MC replacement.

A part shouldn't be condemned until known to be beyond repair 🙂

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍