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MG MGA - brake lines clean out

Hi
I like to change my brake fluid to silicone, one leak and paint damage is enough, how can I clean out the steel piping to change? Aceton?laquer thiner?water?new piping? Yes I know the rest will have to be removed and clean also.
Martin
Martin

Martin - Get several areosol cans of CRC Brake Kleen (or any similiar product) and shoot the stuff throughthe brake line until it come out clean. Follow up with compressed air to blow it all out, then hang the lines for a few days to insure that they are all dry (or heat them well with a heat gun). That should be all you need. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

martin-
FWIW...I used silicone in my 59 coupe once ,and it swelled the seals so bad, the clutch and brake pedals wouldn't release.. I had to replace all the rubber bits...it's a pain to flush the silicone if that happens...I used silicone in my XJ-6 for 10 years and had no problem at all.. I now use LMA in the E-type and my 57 MGA without problems... I guess it depends on the composition of the rubber seals ...I would take some old seals or even a new one and soak it in silicone just to be sure...I have a friend who put silicone in his Avanti last year and it disintegrated the seals, and now is facing a total rebuild... just my opinion..
All the best,
John
john coryea

I've ben through this a few times. Unless you know that all of the cylinder seals are very new, like less than a year old, you should replace all of the rubber bits in the system when you change fluid type. The Eezibleed makes this job a cinch. I open the bleed nipples and blow the system out with air, then flush it with a couple quarts of denatured alcohol, and blow it our with air again. Then disassemble, hone and repack all of the cylinders. I would also recommend replacing the four hoses, unless you know they are nearly new and in very good condition. Once you have silicone fluid and all new rubebr bits the system may be good for a lifetime, but you still need to flush the fluid every couple of years, even with silicone fluid.
Barney Gaylord

Martin, I agree with Barney, replace all the rubber in the system. SBR rubber which is what was used in the older rubber parts is not compatable with silicone. If you use CRC brake clean to flush the lines make sure that you get the Red can. The green can may be enviromentaly more freindly but is filled with paint thiners, it drys to fast to remove crud and it is highly flamable.
John H

I'd also add that even with Si fluid, rubber hoses should be replaced every 15 years or so, and rubber seals in brake cylinders also - the cylinders walls and pistons will be like new, so no homning should be necessary. Rubber seals are moving parts, so they do wear out, and the rubber hoses are subjected to movement and heat and dirt etc that eventually makes them brittle. It's always better to stay on the side of caution here!

I have had Si fluid in my car since I restored it, and had to repace the seals because they wore out (after an estimated 150k miles) about two years ago. I have had the car 18 years.
dominic clancy

Hmm, now I'm wondering if I should replace the rubber parts in the NEW wheel cylinders that I have had sitting in a box for 15+ years, since I would like to use silicon fluid.
Del Rawlins

This thread was discussed between 29/09/2006 and 30/09/2006

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