Identifying some brake faults (master cylinder)


Here are some clues to tell what's wrong with your master cylinder
Fluid overflow from the top of the reservoir suggests the brakes were serviced (new brake pads) and the fluid had been topped up BEFORE the pads were changed!

fluid leaking down the pedal levers = end seal leak NO BRAKES!!!! INFINATE TRAVEL!

plume of fluid visible in the brake fluid reservoir when the pedal is pushed = internal seal leak NO BRAKES OR ONE CIRCUIT WORKING!!!!!! INFINATE TRAVEL!

brake pedal pumps up but is soft = air in the system SOFT BUT WORKING LONG TRAVEL

pedal travel long but pedal hard at end of travel = rear/front drums need adjusting HARD PEDAL AFTER LONG TRAVEL

brake pedal pumps up giving hard pedal but needs pumping up again if the car is pushed along the road = loose wheel bearings wobbling discs pushing caliper pistons into caliper, would feel vibration through brake pedal and need to repeatedly pump pedal each time it was re-depressed after release (if driving) HARD PEDAL AFTER LONG TRAVEL

John C Bullas


Stolen from the Mini list, May '98