Re: Leaking Brake fluid

["Glenn Minucci" <gminucci@domain.elided>]

The time I saw a problem bleeding brakes was on my brother-in-laws Stag.  He
replaced the non-original master cylinder with the correct one and we
couldn't get the brakes bleed.  It ended up that we had to adjust the brake
boost rod to the proper length.  It was adjusted too long for the other
master cylinder.
Glenn Minucci
Cheers
71 Stag
69 MGC
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Wattam <MikeWattam@domain.elided>
To: INTERNET:PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided <PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided>
Cc: TSR Mailing List <stag-digest@domain.elided>
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 1998 10:25 AM
Subject: Leaking Brake fluid


Peter

First of all, it's a lot easier to play with brake fluid when it is
non-corrosive, such as Silicone-based fluid.  Particularly re-centring the
PDWA shuttle after bleeding the brakes.  The master cylinder can usualy be
worked on without needing to re-bleed the brakes afterwards.

As I am assuming you are using C & N brake fluid and this must have been
running down the bulkhead, I would advise you to strip the soundproofing
off that area to rectify any paint damage.  Once brake fluid has soaked
into paintwork, the only way of sorting it out is to strip it off (if not
already peeled off), de-grease, de-rust, clean with emery paper and start
again with a good metal primer.  If the soundproofing is soaked, obviously
it cannot go back.  I hope your car is not this bad.

While I agree the 'motor trade' is by no means infallible and this includes
even the very best Stag specialists, people who live in glass houses should
not throw stones ...........  Because neither is the private owner
infallible - most of us have had cause to slag off the 'dumb previous
owner' even though most of us would admit that we can't get it all 100%
ourselves.

I have never seen a problem bleeding Stag brakes, except on one car where
the owner (DPO?) had crushed the brake pipe under the front crossmember.
Look for this kind of problem, the pipe should run above the base of the
crossmember but if clips are missing or it is incorrectly routed, it can
easily suffer from the trolley jack.  Similarly check the pipe running from
PDWA to the rear brakes.

Mike Wattam
Triumph Stag Register