Michael Todd Thorpe's Journal

I spent the morning seating the bearing races in the front hubs. I then bolted the new brake rotors back onto the hubs, packed the new bearings with grease (a new skill learned!) and put the whole assembly back in place on the front spindles. I tightened each side down without the shims (as instructed in the Bentley Manual) to be sure the bearing races were properly seated... then added the shims and tightened everything up. Both hubs have the requisite slight "tunk" as described by John Twist in his youtube video... I realize I need a 1/2" torque wrench to do the final tightening on the castle nuts... perhaps I'll run out to Sears and pick one up this evening and take the wife to dinner afterwards.

Next up: Start on the brakes: Install new master cylinder, blow out the steel lines, then put the rest of the new brake parts on/in place...

93º outside. It finally drove me from the garage.

Worked on the brakes today. Got stymied along the way...

First, started cleaning up the calipers. Used compressed air to push out the pistons, took me longer than I anticipated. I expected some mess, but old brake fluid went everywhere. And that was with me using plenty of fresh rags and newspaper laid down... Got all four pistons out and cleaned them up, cleaned the calipers... The calipers looked in good condition, no pitting. But there was some scale buildup inside. I took some fine emery sandpaper to the scale and it cleaned up nicely. A few of the calipers looked good, but two of them have some funky wear or rust creeping under the chrome. I think I saw some stainless steel piston somewhere for sale... if I can find them again, I'll order a set. That was the end of the front brakes for today...

I blew some air through the brake lines while I had everything apart.

Moved to the back brakes. Pulled the drums off, both in good condition and the shoes looked in good condition. I'd ordered the slave pistons for the back earlier, so I decided to replace them today since I couldn't move ahead with the front brakes. Pulled everything off, did a little cleanup, removed the old cylinders and then put in the new cylinders... a slower process than I anticipated due to the fact that I had a hell of a time getting the new e-clips in place on the cylinders...

Adjusted the back brakes per John Twist's video and everything seems to work correctly.

Next time: I need to adjust the handbrake tension (very loose) and finish the front calipers, install the new master cylinder, then bleed the brake system... oh joy!!!

Both good and bad today.

First off, I was a bit concerned about how my back brakes went together last weekend after reading a couple things on the forum... decided to pull the drums off and double check my work. Everything looked correct, though I'm still concerned about the way the passenger side "feels" compared to the driver's side... not as smooth, like things are slow or gummy... I pulled everything off again, applied copious amounts of brake cleaner to be sure I didn't have any unseen gunk, then reassembled the brakes. Still feels the same. Hmmm.... Also, while I was down there on both sides, I installed the new rubber boot on both e-brake levers that I ordered last week from Moss. A tight fit, but they work.

On the front brakes, the new calipers went in with just a little fuss... I purchased the caliper tool from Moss and I can't imagine trying to assemble without it. I did not split the caliper halves, I didn't think it was necessary. Now the bad part: On two of the dust seal retaining rings, I got them started a little catawampus and fouled up the rings. Alas, time to order another pair...

All in all, not a bad day with the B...

Next up: finish the calipers, reinstall on the B, and maybe (just maybe) start putting the hydraulics back together and bleed.

Finished off the brake calipers this morning, more or less. Need to put the pads and retaining clips back in, but the clips delivered (I've ordered so many things of late, I don't recall where I purchased these) weren't the right ones (too long)... need to see if I can source some locally.

I fouled another dust seal retaining ring this morning, as well, fortunately had several others in stock. When I got everything together I realized I had the pistons spun around and facing the wrong way (indentations facing away from the hub) and I then needed to pop them out again (judicious use of an air hose) and re-seat the pistons facing the correct way.

Bolted everything back in place on the front hubs and then installed the new brake rubber hoses. Re-checked the passenger side rear brake hub and everything still seems a little off... I suspect that when the system is finally bled and pressurized that the hub/shoes will seat properly... or so I hope. I'll keep an eye on this as time progresses.

Will need to remember to double check all the brake systems once things are back together and moving...

Next up: Bench bleed the master cylinder, reinstall and then bleed the whole system. On my way home from work on Friday I stopped at HF and picked up a MityVac 8000 for this purpose... Now just need to learn how to use it!

Spent the morning pulling the clutch master and slave cylinders out of the B.

Finally got the master out, pretty gunked up inside... I read somewhere on the forum that really hot and soapy water is a good treatment, then let dry overnight. I'll try this later. After washing it I'll inspect the bore and decide weather to continue with a rebuild. I'm not sure if the thing is plated or bare metal, but the exterior has a fair bit of corrosion, not sure if that can be cleaned up with a wire wheel or not.

Pulled the slave out, the rubber boot came apart in my hands as I attempted to free it from the clutch yoke. Spent quite a bit of time cleaning the dang thing... There was a huge amount of crud and dirt and what looked like sand packed inside... I'm not sure if it's re-useable... I may just need to replace it altogether.

While I was underneath the B, I pulled the old hose out and installed the new hose and left it to wait for the reinstall of the slave... quite the chore, but I wanted it done while I was down there...

Proceeded to clean up the master cylinder this morning. I used Jack Austin's (twigworker) suggestion (http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,1300670,1300825#msg-1300825) of hot water and soap... Got most if not all of the gunk out of the master... the reservoir and the bore are clean now. From what I can tell there seems to be a bit of rust or corrosion a ways back in, and some creeps towards the end of the bore. Very iffy. I'm not sure if I want to continue and try to rebuild this master or just buy a new one.

The slave is seized up tight. When I pulled it off the transmission, the boot looked to have been compromised and the inside was full of sand and tar/oil/gunga... I have it cleaned up now and sitting with some penetrating oil soaking from the hose port down into the cylinder from the back... not sure if that's going to work.

What next? Replace or rebuild? I already have the rebuild kits for both cylinders...

Edit: Gave the master a second cleaning, hot water and soap but this time scrubbed inside of bore and reservoir with old toothbrush... looks better.