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Triumph TR3 - Brake Master Cylinder

Hey gang,

Looks like it's time to fix the brake master cylinder. When the brake pedal is first depressed, the brakes grab with the pedal up high. Continuing to press down results in the pedal slowly sinking lower. when I release the pressure and then reapply it, the pedal has way too much free play, only returning to normal a short while after laying off the brake pedal. When the brake is applied, I can see the pushrod moving sideways as well as in the proper direction. My guess is the seals inside are shot.

Does this diagnosis sound correct, and what's the best way to tackle rebuilding the master cylinder without stripping my engine bay with brake fluid? Any recommendation for sourcing the rebuild kits?

Thanks for your help!

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

Bill;

I have an early model with the dual master cylinder. I started with a re-sleeve by Apple Hydraulics. That was the easy part. I was my third set of seals before I finally got it to stop leaking.

Good luck.
Chet Harter

Bill - I have the two separate master cylinders with the single reservoir. The seal kits are available from Moss, Roadster Factory and all the others too.

When you take it apart, mop up the fluid asap ASAP so it doesn't eat off your paint. Then look inside. If you have a smooth bore, or have easy access to a hone, you don't need to have it re-lined.

If you need to have your master cylinder re-lined, check with Apple in Long island as well as White Post near Washington for prices, then check on the cost of a new one. A new assembly may be the better deal.

I have the very old type MC's as were on the TR2's, the TR3's and the early TR3A's. I had to buy an old one in a scrap yard to get the right one. Then I mailed it to Apple to be re-lined. I only sent them the empty aluminium body. They re-lined it with a brass sleeve and mailed it back. But because I hadn't sent them the piston and all the rest (or maybe they just forgot) but it came back and I couldn't get the piston into it. They have to hone it after they re-line it and they may have just not done it, or forgot to do it or maybe it was because I hadn't sent them the piston..Anyway, my good neighbor across the street had access to reamers and hones at work an he did it right for me.

Check with them all first.

Good luck

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2003 and 01/07/2003

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