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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TD TF Wheel Cylinders

I'm a first time restorer so this will not be the last question. I'm rebuilding the wheel cylinders on a TF. I've got the first pair, front, off and I have the rebuilding kits. Now, how do i disassemble the cylinder without damage?
Joe

Joe,

Not sure what you mean about disassembling them without damaging 'em. There should only be a rubber cup holding the innards in 'em - peel these off and the spring inside should press the innards out. If they're frozen (rusted) in place make an adapter and force grease from a grease gun (hand pump) into them. This will act like your hydraulic master cylinder without causing the parts to fly apart dangerously.

Gene

Joe,

if they don't just fall open in your hand and require pressure to push the pistons out they may well be corroded in place due to the ingress of water causing eloectrolytic corrosion of the two dissimilar metals used in the housing and piston. If this is the case you will need to have the cylinders bored and sleeved before you fit the rebuild kit.
Phil Stafford

Phil:

Spoken like a true Engineer! Ask 'em what time it is..., and they'll tell you how to build a watch !! LOL

Cheers,

Jim
Jim Rice

Joe, If there is any sign of corrosion when you strip them out - and there probably will be - dont re-use them, but replace with new ones. I didn't, failed the last MOT (UK annual safety check)'cos one rear brake didn't work at all, ruined a set of rear brake shoes and took a lot of paint of the back plates and wheel. I now have have new ones fitted.....AB
Adrian Bennett

Joe...I'm from the midget/Sprite site but can give you the following advice;

I have just finished a resto; on my 1973 (so nowhere near as old as yours) and found a loss in brake pressure on my first 35-40 mile trip just last week. I was going to bleed my brakes but noticed brake fluid coming from the rear drum. Removed the drum, pressed the brake pedal and fluid squirted from the cylinder.

Removed the cylinder and inspected. The inner rubber seals of the two pistons were somewhat scored but the bores and pistons 'looked' good. No noticeable pitting or scoring in the bores, though there was a small nick on one of the pistons. I thought a carefull polishing of the bores, using WD40 on 30 micron, 15 micron & 9 micron polishing paper should do the trick. I used the same for the pistons, carefully smoothing the nick. Got a cylinder replacement kit (rubber seals) and replaced the cylinder after assembly. Started to pump the brake pedal.....fluid every where!!!!!

Purchased a 'new' brake cylinder and.....Bob's you're uncle!

Do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again (believe me).

Graham

This thread was discussed between 13/02/2002 and 14/02/2002

MG TD TF 1500 index

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