It seems like only yesterday that I had a similar problem with the car – the master cylinder died on us!
However, something was not the same as last time – there was no suggestion of brake power when the master cylinder went. This time, I had a good front lock-up if I pumped and the pedal was not sinking to the floor. After a few pumps, there was a gradual drop, and then it stopped.
So I dive into my trusty social networks and put it out there to a few friends. Then a call to mate and mechanic (and drag racer) Mark. He has a similar issue with the master cylinder idea – something just not right about the symptoms. He suggests I take the rear wheels off and look for a leak in the brake drums.
Take a Careful Look
At first glance, the brakes look as they should – so a closer inspection is needed. I look at the inside of the drum, and there are marks that look like splashes of something that has dried after being spun around the inside of the drum. So I lift the dust cover rubber on the wheel cylinder and out drips a drop or two of rusty red liquid!
So no choice but the wheel cylinder will need to be replaced, so I set out to tear down the whole brake.
(Hint: I have learned a good lesson from past experiences – take a photo of the parts you wish to replace before you strip them down – especially when there are multiple parts!)
So, on the phone to the guys at Hi Tech Brake and Clutch Services, they re-sleeved my master cylinder and have supplied me with numerous parts for the brakes over the years. It helps that most of them are petrolheads like me – owning classic metal themselves.
They have multiple cylinders for me to use, and the price is so good ($11 apiece) that I grab two! Little did I know that this decision would save me a great deal of running around!
Clean and Paint
With the brake cleaned up and looking ready to go, I decide that it would be a good idea to remove the surface rust and maybe add a coat of paint. So out with the faithful zinc-based paint, and she looks like new!
While the paint dries, I decide to tear down the other wheel just in case there is an issue. I also received advice from a tyre specialist on the benefits of replacing both cylinders at the same time when you do a repair. It is often the case that they both go within a short time of each other, and it saves the confusion of finding the source of a problem.
So I have a look and see the tiniest of fluid – I lift the dust cover and sure enough, there are the tell-tell signs of rust, this one is worse! Scary to think that the pair of tire wheels had failed me! I had no hint of problems in the weeks before. It is a good job that the brake system is a split system with the front and rear on separate circuits – the front brakes were doing the most work when I had the trouble start!
It is well over 15 years since we replaced a wheel cylinder on the rear brakes, so I am not complaining – just grateful it all happened during a holiday break! The car had sat in the garage for 10 days, and it was during the first drive after Christmas that the failure took place!
Out with the Old and In with the New
Bleeding Brakes
The last but no less important step is the draining and bleeding of the fluid through the pipes to clear all old fluid and air!
The process is straightforward, and I have been through this in the past – Bleeding Brakes – so I won’t repeat the process here. I do decide to clean up the front discs as well today, so I strip down the front wheels – give all a cleanup and then flush and bleed the front!
I quickly drive out to get more brake fluid, and I can finally finish the job! The new fluid is considerably cleaner than the old, and I can see that I am lucky to have no major damage to the brake system despite that very bad corrosion in the rear cylinders!
Another note to self – dig a little deeper next time I check the brakes! Lifting dust seals and rubbers could reveal early signs of problems before you run out of brakes!
Conclusion
Well, what a busy day I spent tinkering on the BeaXT. Very relaxing actually – like a form of meditation! I know many would be perplexed by the statement, but me, nothing is more relaxing than sitting in the garage working on the car.
The joy of seeing the job completed by my own hands and the return of function when things have gone wrong.
On the purely commercial side, I saved myself many hundreds of dollars – and no mechanic would willingly volunteer to paint parts on the way. I spent $25 (inc GST) on parts and $25 on brake fluid and a single-handed bleeding kit.