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Servo / Master cylinder Rebuild
Fandango - 28/2/16 at 08:26 PM

Hi all.

I have a problem with my Locost since buying it.

It is fitted with (I am pretty sure) Mk2 Escort master cylinder with servo.

This works very poorly, a wooden feel to the pedal, and very little retardation. I have made sure the front brakes are not seized. The car is only to be used as a track toy, so would like very sharp brakes.

The engine is currently out, so I thought it would be a plan to rebuild the servo, and master cylinder, as the seal kits are available on ebay, at around £12.

Can anyone direct me towards any video tutorial on rebuilding them?

Fandango - 28/2/16 at 08:27 PM

[Edited on 28/2/16 by Fandango]

britishtrident - 28/2/16 at 08:41 PM

Very unlikely to be fault in the master cylinder if the brakes are operating on all 4 wheels -- do you actaully have the servo fitted and the vacuum line connected?

Without an operating servo a servo master cylinder will give a very hard unresponsive pedal.

[Edited on 28/2/16 by britishtrident]

Fandango - 28/2/16 at 08:44 PM

Yes, the vacuum pipe is present, and undamaged, the servo looks to be correctly installed.

Fandango - 28/2/16 at 08:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Very unlikely to be fault in the master cylinder if the brakes are operating on all 4 wheels -- do you actaully have the servo fitted and the vacuum line connected?

Without an operating servo a servo master cylinder will give a very hard unresponsive pedal.

[Edited on 28/2/16 by britishtrident]


Yes that is exactly what it feels like.

britishtrident - 28/2/16 at 08:58 PM

If you put gentle pressure on the pedal you should be able to feel the pedal move when the engine is started, and then after the engine is stopped you should feel the pedal movement change after you give it a couple of pumps to exhaust the vacuum as per MOT test.

Fandango - 28/2/16 at 10:00 PM

I can`t do the test at the moment, as the car is without engine, but I do recall there was no tangible servo assistance before.

Dick Axtell - 29/2/16 at 09:58 AM

The Girling servo fitted to the Mk 1/2 Escorts are non-serviceable. Only the small annular filter, fitted around the input rod, is replaceable.

I recall that mcyls of this era were TV/CV (Tipping valve/Centre valve) type. Not sure if you can still get refurbishing kits for these mcyls.

avagolen - 29/2/16 at 06:39 PM

Just a thought, Is the one way valve in the vacuum pipe the correct way around?

Fandango - 29/2/16 at 07:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by avagolen
Just a thought, Is the one way valve in the vacuum pipe the correct way around?


Worth a look eh? I will check it out.

Fandango - 24/5/16 at 12:02 PM

Just got back to looking at this.

The servo definately does not work, as the engine is out, I have connected a vacuum off another car. The servo is leaking, and not working.

So the plan now to simply source a new (non servo) master cylinder. Does anyone have a clue which model to look for, I can make adapter plate / rod quite easily, so no problem there. The car is track only, will be on sticky tyres, so I do want "sharp" braking, it weighs around 520kgs.

Cheers all