how can you check a master cylinder

[montana]

iv got problems when braking, where occasionaly the brake pedal travels almost to the floor before biting , whereas 70% of the time it is fine an bites much earlier. i have bled the brakes twice and also checked the servo as outlined in the haynes..so the fault looks to be with the master cylinder...is there anyway to check if this i true?

thanks

 

[Mike Wright]

checked the cylinders?..............servo pipe?

 

[montana]

the cylinders at the rear have been replaced, along with the shoes which was done last week..i have had the car bk to the mechanic twice and he cant find anything wrong.



where abouts is the servo pipe mate?

 

[JAY172]

to check a master cylinder press the brake pedal down really hard and if the pedal creeps all the way to the floor the master cylinder is leaking internally

 

[mr 106]

incorrect.



with the engine off, pump the brake pedal until it goes firm,

next, while pressing down on the accelerator, turn the ignition on. If the pedal travels to the floor,



dude, take those keys out and do not drive that car!

 

[BenR]

thats the servo......doi

 

[JAY172]

Quote: Originally posted by mr 106 on 18 January 2004


incorrect.



with the engine off, pump the brake pedal until it goes firm,

next, while pressing down on the accelerator, turn the ignition on. If the pedal travels to the floor,



dude, take those keys out and do not drive that car!





incorrect thats not how you check a master cylinder

 

[montana]

yeah ive checked the servo like that, thats what it says in the haynes, so if i can push the pedal down to the floor ( which i cant) its the master cylinder? what else do you think could cause this problem cos im stuck!

 

[BenR]

if the pedal does get to the floor, its your seals.

 

[montana]

what in the master? i suppose they wud b renewed if i got a new un

 

[BenR]

if you got a new one, then new seals would be in the new MS.

 

[JAY172]

seal kits arent normally avaliable.it would be pretty cheap and safer to fit a new master cylinder.