I have a dual-circuit master cylinder and late-model brakes on my Bugeye. I
replace the brake fluid once or twice a year with new Castrol, whenever it
starts looking cloudy in the M/C. I have never had any problem with the
front calipers. The rear cylinders have done fine also, though they did go
bad once some time back when the car sat for a few years.
But the darned Master cylinder leaks. Ruined one brake switch. The first
time this happened, ALL of the brake fluid ran out on the floor while the
car sat for a few weeks. I replaced the M/C with a new one, and it happened
again about a year later, and I replaced that M/C also with an Advance Auto
rebuild.
The current M/C leaks a little down the pedal, enough that I check the fluid
level shadow on the plastic cylinder every time I drive it, and have to add
some fluid about once a month. I'm tired of throwing money at an intractable
problem, so I just live with it. I really like that idea of sticking a
sponge up in the pedal box! I think I'll do that.
Somebody suggested once that my brake pedal is misaligned and is causing
wear on the M/C bore. I changed the pedal box. No joy.
One suggestion, born of experience: if your dual-circuit M/C is leaking,
check your brake lights real often. You never know when the switch will go
bad on you from brake fluid contamination.
Tom Zuchowski
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Dave Hiley
> Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 8:35 PM
> To: WFO Herb; RBHouston@aol.com
> Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: 1275 clutch fluid line
>
>
> >I would be interested in knowing how often those... the few that do...
> that use
> >their cars as 'daily drivers' have to rebuild their brake or
> clutch systems.
> >Comparing what they tell us to those that only drive their cars
> a few times a
> >month during good weather only. Comments???
>
> I'll jump into this subject. A couple of years back I replaced my brake
> master cylinder ('72 MKIII) with a new, in the coated wax paper, Lockheed
> unit. I drive my car about once a week in good weather and not at all in
> winter. It weeps brake fluid onto the floor under my feet on a regular
> basis. (It REALLY PISSES ME OFF!) Another 72 Midget owner in town (frame
> up restoration but mine's faster and I know they are secretly jealous)
> indicates they have the same problem.
>
> However, last weekend, I took it out to the road course and ran it hard
> all weekend. Not a drop of brake fluid leaked.
>
> My .02
>
> Dave
>
|