timmy201 - I've just emailed you the PBR Service Manual for the VH44 in case you want to research doing an overhaul yourself.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

"New VH44 are in the range $80-150...so if originality isn't a consideration...park your unit and fit new"

or safety. My failed and the pedal went straight to the floor. Luckily in the driveway.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

Thanks all for the advice

I think I will attempt to disassemble them at some stage and see what they look like on the cylinder bore - thanks Winabbey for the service manual. At a minimum they will be a good candidate for an exchange unit, which seem like a pretty decent option compared to buying the parts myself and attempting the rebuild.

I'll ask you a few questions next time I see you Bill B

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WADR...what is "safety critical" about a system that performs just well boosted (2:1 mechanical advantage) as un-boosted

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"Show me the Mini!"

Mick,
It boils down to the quality of seals and other components in a Chinese booster.
If they fail you may have no brakes.
Yes I know they work, but I'd prefer a genuine PBR or no booster.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Yep...however, I have had a couple of boosters fail on other cars...no drama, just a heavy pedal...

[Edit: last booster I bought was a couple years back, VH40 for about $400 bucks...I did NOT look for the cheeeep chirese models at all!]

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"Show me the Mini!"

My response exactly. Thanks Doc.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

OK...if this is such a huge problem...why haven't you got onto the ACCC or an automotive body to ask for urgent action? (instead of just pontificating on a public forum)

You can lose your brakes several other ways as well...e.g. blown caliper or wheel cylinder seals etc...

Does Timmy201 have a split circuit system? and does that matter a fig, if, as you say, your can "lose your brakes"?

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"Show me the Mini!"

Mick - this is the statement I was responding to, and I think the Doc as well. Like I posted earlier I have heard several comments from people who have fitted the cheap Chinese booster saying they are poor quality and have failed. Apparently they are also unrepairable as spare parts are not available. I think it's fair enough that I make that statement on this forum in case timmy is considering your suggestion that he fit one of those instead of a genuine PBR and isn't aware of the comments. Again, I don't have personal experience.

If someone wants to go to the ACCC or elsewhere to report inferior quality Mini parts currently on the market there are other things to add to the list. Ball joints made of cheese is a starter. Most things made of what the manufacturer calls rubber is another.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Ohhhhh Dear...talk about a storm in a teacup...I was trying to point out that a brake re-conditioner could charge you maybe double the cost of getting a new replacement...so goin down the refurb route might be false economy...and I would always try and plump for an item of known quality even though it might be a little more expensive.

About a year or so ago, I was ripped of royally by a "well respected", "highly recommended" brake place in the Shire....$600 later the unit looked shiny and new but still had the same problem I gave it to them to solve...this was after I had lost the unit for weeks to another "well respected", "highly recommended" brake place in Canberra area who gave up without fixing it at no charge...

If some of the VH44 units available are inferior, then get of my case and start CAUTIONING/ADVISING newbies or others when they ask about their boosters

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"Show me the Mini!"

OK, it seems we are on different wave lengths.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

"Obliviously!"

Doc...you could also have chimed in earlier with the Chinese information

All good, at least now, more people might be aware of the traps associated with buying cheap replacement parts...

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"Show me the Mini!"

@Mick,
if the vacuum diaphragm goes yes you still have brakes.
But if its cylinder seals go the pedal can go to the floor, same as a master cylinder seal failure.
That's my concern.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Fair enough Kev, thats why I threw in does Timmy have a split system...if not, think twice about adding a booster which just adds to potential for failure points????

and ohhhh by the way, if the vacuum diaphragm is compromised (holed), the booster body can suck in fluid, draining the master cylinder reservoir and bingo! no brake pressure

Hope you had a terrific Australia Day break

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"Show me the Mini!"

Pretty sure Timmy has a single line system it's an 850 with modified 1098 power.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.