Series 3 lightweight braking issue

Birdbrain · Mar 18, 2022

After a few weeks visiting family in Oz I gave the lightweight a run out. The brake pedal isn’t returning & I have to lift the pedal with my toes. When it’s down the brake lights obviously stay on. There doesn’t seem to be any brake fluid loss so am I right in assuming it’s the master cylinder seals? It’s got a split braking system so there are two brake pipes coming out of the master cylinder & the reservoir is on the top. If it’s the master cylinder seals I don’t know whether to just buy a new one & unbolt the reservoir off the old one & reuse it. Any thoughts?

Turboman · Mar 18, 2022

Birdbrain said:
After a few weeks visiting family in Oz I gave the lightweight a run out. The brake pedal isn’t returning & I have to lift the pedal with my toes. When it’s down the brake lights obviously stay on. There doesn’t seem to be any brake fluid loss so am I right in assuming it’s the master cylinder seals? It’s got a split braking system so there are two brake pipes coming out of the master cylinder & the reservoir is on the top. If it’s the master cylinder seals I don’t know whether to just buy a new one & unbolt the reservoir off the old one & reuse it. Any thoughts?

Identify the master cylinder and price it up.
If a new complete unit is cheap, probably the way to go.
If not, you could change the reservoir onto a new cylinder, the Britpart ones tend to be a bit crap, but they do work.
If it is all expensive, or hard to get, you could try replacing the seals. That works if the cylinder bore is in reasonable condition.

Once you have sorted it out, try changing your brake fluid a bit more often, about every two years is optimal. Dirty brake fluid is the most usual cause of these problems.

Blackburn · Mar 28, 2022

Is the pedal return spring fitted and the pivot point lubricated?

Birdbrain · Mar 28, 2022

‘‘Twas the pivot point. Didn’t like being left for a month while we were in Oz!

Series 3 lightweight braking issue

Birdbrain

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Blackburn

Well-Known Member

Birdbrain

Well-Known Member

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