- This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 6 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
What does everyone here use for brake fluid in their VW kit cars? I went to investigate a leak in the system of mine and found the 25 year old brake fluid to be almost black. Do older VWs take some sort of silicone based brake fluid that would be this color? I was planning on completely draining the system and replacing soft lines and filling with new fluid. Although the pedal goes to the floor, I can’t see any leakage in the system. Guessing wheel cylinders but didn’t have enough time today to fully investigate.
VWs didn’t come with silicone, but who knows for sure what a previous owner may have done.
The fluid is likely dark because it has attracted moisture over the years and the steel parts of the system has started to rust. Recommend you plan on adding a new master cylinder and four new wheel cylinders to your shopping list.I’m going through the same drill on mine right now.Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Because of the different shape of the body and fenders of the MG, does this change the way or make the replacement brake components any more difficult? Any suggestions to a newbie? I have everything coming in tomorrow (shoes, cylinders, master, flex hoses). Hoping to complete the job within the week. 😀 BIGBAND392013-06-06 12:50:37
BIGBAND39 wrote:Because of the different shape of the body and fenders of the MG, does this change the way or make the replacement brake components any more difficult? Any suggestions to a newbie? I have everything coming in tomorrow (shoes, cylinders, master, flex hoses). Hoping to complete the job within the week. 😀You may need to remove the gas tank to get to the two bolts on the bulkhead/front of floorpan that hold the master cylinder on – I did on my FF kit.But other than that, it is just like a normal Bug repair. When replacing the master cylinder, just start those two bolts loosely, then attach all the brake lines, then come back and tighten the two mounting bolts down…KentT2013-06-06 13:29:11
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Master cylinder replacement can be tricky, depending on how the car is designed. Mine has a void beyond the pedal cluster but behind the firewall. I sawed an access hole to get at the push rod to adjust. I could have removed the gas tank but thought my way would be easier.
The master cylinder itself should be pretty visible and accessible. Two bolts, two flare nuts; done.
Good luck.
LOL — Ed and I posting at the same time. Accessing the master cylinder is the biggest challenge…
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...The bleeding is always the hardest part – try it the normal way first and make sure you bench bleed the master cyl or you will be sorry. If you cannot make it work let me know and I can show you how to make a cheap pressure blessed that works great and you can do the job yourself. I tried to bleed for hours unfilled I went this route and 10 minutes later I was done.
Bigband,
With the design of the Duchess front end, you do not have to remove your fuel tank.The master cylinder is easy to get to on your Duchess. It’s in the stock location. You can see it from outside the car, behind the left front wheel. Access to the bolts is from inside the trunk compartment.Brake fluid reservoir is also inside the trunk compartment (at least it is if the builder followed the assembly manual).PMOSSBERG2013-06-06 15:12:33
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
After dismantling the brakes, I found that wheel cylinders have no leaks and they and brake shoes are new. Still, they are 30 years old. Should they still be replaced? The brakes hardware was rusted, broken, and will be replaced. I’m also replacing flex lines and the master cylinder due to the fluid color. Are lines from the external reservoir to the master just standard rubber hose?
After 30 years the fluid would have absorbed a lot of moisture and those wheel cylinders are probably pitted on the inside. You can take them apart and check or just throw new ones at it. You’re doing everything else, they would be a minor addition to your repair.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.