Hi, im repairing a 75 clubman 998. The first big job i have to do is connect all the brake/clutch lines and master cylinders.

I've managed to connect all the lines and i have the clutch working. However not the brakes

Theres plenty of brake fluid in the master cylinder and i opened up the bleed screw on the front right wheel, and connected a tube to it and put it into a container of brake fluid. But pumping the brakes does nothing No air seems to be coming out, or fluid...

So i thought i would try and disconnect the line where the master cylinder joins the t-peice. I pumped the brakes and thought i would at least be able to get fluid out of there or hear it sucking or something, but again, nothing.

It's almost like my master cylinder doesnt work (but its brand new).

Also, my brake pedal doesnt spring back when i press it, just stays down. I havent really investigated this (very old car, been off the road for a long time, maybe its missing a spring?)


Any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated...

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Does the master cylinder have a seal in it?
I bought a new one & it didnt have a seal, & had to go back & get one with a seal.

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1967 Morris Mini Deluxe
1927 Austin 7

A few things to try.

Put a hose on each of the nipples and place them into a little container. Fill the master up so its full, then crack open all of the nipples. Walk away and let gravity pull all the fluid through. Make sure you keep the master full.

However, if you can't pump any fluid through then I would be checking there is a seal in there.

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

good idea davo, im from perth

Where does the seal go? I certainly havent seen one! Does the clutch need one too?

First things first.

1)
Sort out your pedal and find the reason for that not returning - take out the clvis pin (that connects the pedal to the MC) and see if the pedal returns. if it does then the MC needs to come apart, if it does not, then the pedal bushes / shaft need some love.

2)
If you take out the MC for the above, bleed it on the bench to check that it will work before putting it back in.

3)
Check the condition of each of the wheel cylinders and then adjust each brake.

4)
With the MC refitted, and an assistant operating the pedal, start bleeding the system. You only need 'crack' the fittings at each pipe connection, don't completely undo them, just undo about 1/4 of a turn, that's plenty. So it Reservoir full, pedal down, crack the fitting open, fluid (or air) out, lock the fitting closed, pedal up and then repeat. Remember to check the reservoir often.

5)
Bleed first from the fitting at the MC, then the T jiunction. From there do the rears and then the fronts. After going around the first time, check at each wheel cylinder a second time, usually more air will come out.

6)
You should now have an operational hydraulic Brake System. What are the drums and shoes like?

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ok thanks gt. I took the clevis pin out, the pedal doesnt return so it looks like it needs some attention. I may just exchange it for a known good one.

With the gasket, does it go between the reservoir and the MC ?
Because my MC came with the reservoir attatched, although i cant really see any signs of a gasket between there.

Are you able to tell us what type of MC you have bought (shop and part no. or a pic). There are a few different MCs some have a seal between the reservior and body and others - with a tin tak - do not.

There is a gasket that does go between the body and the MC, but it's only to stop water and gases from the engine bay getting in to the cabin, nothing at all to do with brake operation.

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its ok i exchanged it for another one, and this one works!!

however i now have a leak coming from the brake switch, so its off to buy another one of them.

Its been one of those days - i tried greasing up my brake pedal, wd40, nothing seemed to work. So i went about pulling the assembly off the mini wreck i have. huge job, had to pull the blower fan, steering column, struggle wiht a few other bolts, finally got there. Cleaned it up, went to install it into my mini and guess what - the original one started working.

I dont know whether to be pissed off or happy lol

Congrats on getting the Master cylinder to work. As suggested bleed at each major join of the brake line and then do the rear brakes first. If you crack open the bleed nipples on the rears and find you are not getting fluid it may be that the actual cylinders may be blocked at the bleed nipple hole inside the cylinder by old brake fluid (after time it turns into a jelly like substance and blocks stuff up). Don't be tempted to jump on the brakes when bleeding the rears because this will activate the proportioning valve at the rear and reduce the flow.

After you have done all the bleeding and find the brake pedal is spongey then you still have air in the system... If the brake pedal pumps up ie no pedal and then after a few pumps you get a good pedal then the brake shoes need adjusting.

This is done by turning the square adjusters located on the backing plates. To adjust the fronts turn the square adjuster the same way as the wheel turns. Do it until the wheel has locked up (jack up the wheel first) and then back it off a bit until the wheel just turns freely. Pump the brakes to centre the shoes and re-check it. Rinse and repeat with the other side.

The rears are similar (same looking square adjuster) but these just screw in. Don't force anything because there is a good chance the rear ones will be rusted solid. If they are then the usual meathods of freeing up rusted parts will have to be employed.

The above is what I've pieced together from the wonderful people on this forum, it really helped for me to sort my brakes out..

Where in Perth are you?

thanks mate. I'm starting to wonder if my wheel cylinders are working. I think i bled the system right, i now have fluid coming out from each wheel, and there doesnt appear to be any air. If i press the brakes allll the way to the floor with one hand, and reach out the the front drivers side wheel with my other hand, it doesnt spin

However it has to be all the way to the floor to do anything at all.

I will have to get someone to hold the brake pedal down for me so i can check the others.

I tried adjusting all the wheel's, i think i did it right (doesnt sound that hard).

So i'm kinda outa ideas.

I'm in marangaroo, yourself?