My Wife's Mx5 (Eunos) is losing brake fluid but pedal pressure is very good and it's stopping straight and true. It's 1991 manual with no modifications. I think it might be losing it through the servo but I'm not seeing any under the servo. It is a bit pinky after braking but I'm also not seeing any obvious white smoke. The vacuum pipe from the intake Manifold is a bit hard and brittle but no leaks or holes.
Any ideas? I haven't had a chance to check the pipes or cylinders.
Disappearing Brake Fluid
Re: Disappearing Brake Fluid
I reckon you're thinking in the right direction - have a good look around the cylinders, calipers and master cylinder and if they're all bone dry it's probably the servo - have a look in the servo vacuum pipe and see if there's any dampness in it, should be a good clue.
Also worth checking the flexi hoses for dampness, especially if there's a hidden one or two going to the rear brakes, which might not be so obvious.
All the best with it!
Also worth checking the flexi hoses for dampness, especially if there's a hidden one or two going to the rear brakes, which might not be so obvious.
All the best with it!
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
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Diesel Fionn
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Re: Disappearing Brake Fluid
Thanks for that, I'll do a full run through and check the vacuum pipe from the manifold.
Re: Disappearing Brake Fluid
On most servo's it's possible to pull the vacuum pipe out of the servo and 'dip' something into the unit (I use a cable tie) to see if there is fluid in the bottom of it.
Never play chess with a pigeon. It will knock all the pieces over, S*#t on the board and then strut around pretending it won.
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Diesel Fionn
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I'll try that.
Thats a good idea to "dip" the servo. Didn't get a chance to look at it today as she was working.
Can you recondition the master cylinder and servo or are they disposable items only?
Can you recondition the master cylinder and servo or are they disposable items only?
Re: I'll try that.
Yes, though depending upon how much - if any - bore wear you find when you disassemble the master cylinder, you may want to have the cylinder sleeved or fit a new one.Diesel Fionn wrote: Can you recondition the master cylinder and servo?
Absolutely not in the case of the cylinder, though very few servos are well suited to DIY dismantling and reassembly because their seam tends to be folded and crimped together and that's before it's filled with solder to seal it.Diesel Fionn wrote:or are they disposable items only?
BUT.. If the servo is found to have fluid inside as a result of a leaking cylinder, there's no reason not to reuse it once the cylinder has been repaired or replaced, subject to the servo being removed, drained and flushed out with hot water followed by a scoosh of something harmless such as WD40, which will prevent it from rusting away as soon.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
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Diesel Fionn
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:44 pm
Not the servo, Thank God
Well the vacuum pipe was bone dry as was the servo. The fluid is coming from the handbrake assembly on the rear nearside brake caliper.
So now I'm wondering is the caliper toast or can I rebuild it. Has anyone seen this before???
So now I'm wondering is the caliper toast or can I rebuild it. Has anyone seen this before???
Re: Disappearing Brake Fluid
Ive rebuilt them before now. Rebuild kits are available but the best solution for a car that is used daily is fit 2 refurbed units to the rear.
The handbrake mech is tricky to strip and rebuild succesfully imo.
When i refurbed my mx i made sure to use copious amounts of the correct lube/anti-seize in the relevant areas.
Kev
The handbrake mech is tricky to strip and rebuild succesfully imo.
When i refurbed my mx i made sure to use copious amounts of the correct lube/anti-seize in the relevant areas.
Kev
Re: Disappearing Brake Fluid
Seconded - a pair (or just the one if you're feeling tight) recon exchange calipers and you'll be sorted.
Cheers
Cheers
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.