Brake booster and master cylinder held apart

[meerkatmag]

I'm just diagnosing a brake fault and noticed that my booster and master cylinder are not flush together. It feels like there is a piece of wood holding the master cylinder about 10mm away from the booster. I'm going to take it off of course and sort it.

Does anyone have any idea why someone has done this? I'm baffled.

[dumper]

Maybe the wrong booster fitted to long a rod fitted I doubt if yours has one bit I remember on a Ford one having a adjustable rod end you could adjust the length between the servo and the master cylinder.it’s also possible that the rod from the pedal is to long and without the wood packing is is putting the brakes on slightly.

[meerkatmag]

Thanks I'm going to take them apart and see what's going on. I bought a replacement booster and cylinder but it's got big and small threads for the brake lines. Original has m10 for all three. I guess I bought the wrong one?

[meerkatmag]

I'm bench bleeding my replacement master cylinder (it was right after all) and there's a spot of fluid leaking out the back where the circlip is. Tiny amount but definitely seeping out. Is that a shot seal or is it OK to use it?

[metalworker0]

if leaking, or even seeping, it's had it , buy a new one.

depending on price ..a seal kit may be available to fix it

i would say if price of a new master cylinder (mk3 / mk4 / mk5) is below £36 . which it is - buy the master cylinder



all the best.mark

[meerkatmag]

Ok, the only one I can find new is an aftermarket apec. The leaky one was original ford. Hopefully the apec ones are OK? I have heard bad things about aftermarket master cylinders.

By the way it looks like my van originally had lockheed brakes, possibly the mk2 2.4d style brakes. It is a very early mk3 chassis. Someone has tried to fit a bendix master cylinder but the rod is too long to fit into the cylinder so they spaced it with washers and some wood, surprised it worked as long as it has!

[metalworker0]

well i found one new old stock low priced one advertised as mk2

from the number on the packaging ..i found another at £19

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225705253700?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225661319459?

what you have to think about though, that some of these old stock items could be plus 40 years old, seals may have hardened.

you cant quite see into the packages ,...shortness of them suggests to me not dual circuit braking system - is that right?

all the best.mark

[meerkatmag]

Thanks I'll check those out. I'm not sure if the bore in mine is damaged. The cylinder was stuck when I first got it, hammer hit freed it up but it was a bit lumpy before it cleared and moved nicely. There might some rust in there so even new seals/cylinder might not fix it. I'm going to pull the cylinders out and inspect it but I'm thinking just grab a new unit.