How serious is this?

Mal CSL 3.0

Mal CSL 3.0

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Hi Guys,

I have a RHD E9.

Few questions about a problem I have been observing:

1)
My brake cylinder is below pedal box. (Different set up from LHD E9's I believe)
I have a slight oozing problem from base of cylinder. Been like this for over a year. I don't seem to lose fluid from reservoir. Brakes are good, and recently had new calipers and discs done (although brake cylinders only redone about 18 years ago)
So based on the photos, is this issue just systemic of age and therefor natural seepage? or are the seals about to go? Could the brakes fail?

2)
Is this cylinder easy to get out (seems there is no explanation in my 'Blue Book' of how to remove it). Not sure if comes out via engine bay or removed via driver side foot-well? Is it an easy fix? Does anyone sell reconditioned cylinders or do I buy a seal repair kit?

Any advice or guidance appreciated.

file (9).jpeg file (7).jpeg
 
Difficult to see the ooze in the piccies, but yes, if it's hydraulic fluid leaking into the footwell that's the brake master cylinder seals passing. Don't know how quickly these deteriorate but it sounds like you're at least part way there now. If the seals fail absolutely you could lose one or both brake circuits. I've no idea how likely a sudden failure is though

I've just replaced the clutch master, which is just next door. Both detach from the pedal and then come out from the engine bay, hidden under the washer bottle on rhd cars. Give everything a good soaking in penetrating fluid first and, as our hack mechanic would suggest, get yourself in the right frame of mind!
 
Hi Mal,
I’ve just had mine overhauled along with both of the boosters, so in essence all three cylinders and the two vacuum boosters. I used Ace Brakes at Mona Vale, they did a good job but car was out of action for a long time ( 5 weeks ).
Warringah Brakes in Brookvale did JohnFBD so a couple of options locally, but both will send the work out, only one company in Sydney that resleeves these.

John
 
inovermyhead said:
Hi Mal,
I’ve just had mine overhauled along with both of the boosters, so in essence all three cylinders and the two vacuum boosters. I used Ace Brakes at Mona Vale, they did a good job but car was out of action for a long time ( 5 weeks ).
Warringah Brakes in Brookvale did JohnFBD so a couple of options locally, but both will send the work out, only one company in Sydney that resleeves these.

John
Click to expand...

Thanks John, good to know there is a company in Sydney who can resleeve them.
By the way, where was the bottleneck with your case? - was it with the resleeving company taking too long to refurb them or with Ace Brakes?.... I don't really fancy leaving my car in a workshop for 5 weeks or so.
 
besides the most important safety question; I think normal brake fluids are causing rust very quickly as they are hygroscopic (and acidic?).
So loosing rust-creating-fluids in an E9 is never a good thing, even if your brakes would keep functioning.
 
i had exactly the same issue just realised when i bought the car, i solved it replacing the clutch master cyl (that was the culprit in my case)
i even wrote a complete thread on this, you can search for it (no photos probably ,...)

i can not recognise that setup (it might be different LHD /RHD)
in the LHD i think it is impossible to have fluid leakage coming from the brake master cyl (as the booster is there in the middle)
the leakage if i recall the situation clearly it is the clutch (same fluid) the one that can leak there
my 02
 
Hi Mal, I think the hold up was with the firm doing the boosters so that slowed everything down, the guy that was doing them went on holiday for two weeks in the middle of the job and he was the only one with the knowledge or experience to finish the job. I suggest reaching out to John FBD for his input/ experience also.

My entire braking system has now been refurbished/ replaced and I have to say I’m a little underwhelmed with the end result, although they work fine when I get in my 335 after driving the coupe I often feel that I’m going to get thrown through the windscreen first time I brake. I would love to drive a couple of other e9’s for comparison.

Cheers. John
 
Mal, you might have more options if you/someone can remove the parts and deliver to a repair shop . At the time mine were done I had been referred to a guy at Repco's industrial division here in Perth. Took about a week for resleeve of both brake/clutch masters and 2 x boosters . Pedal "feel" and stopping power is perfect. Cost <$1k . You might even want to get the booster "cans" zinc plated while they're out and hydraulic part painted in the period correct "blue" .Cheers, Simon
 
Aussiecsi said:
Mal, you might have more options if you/someone can remove the parts and deliver to a repair shop . At the time mine were done I had been referred to a guy at Repco's industrial division here in Perth. Took about a week for resleeve of both brake/clutch masters and 2 x boosters . Pedal "feel" and stopping power is perfect. Cost <$1k . You might even want to get the booster "cans" zinc plated while they're out and hydraulic part painted in the period correct "blue" .Cheers, Simon
Click to expand...

Thanks Simon, John, fortunately my brakes are currently pretty good - they were upgraded about 5 years ago with improved calipers and new rotors.
It's annoying I have a leak as I didn't want to mess with them while they are working so well.
I think I will just get this one cylinder re-sleeved.
 
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If you can reach and wipe it clean and then watch it. If more oozing then I would remove , rebuild and reinstall it as soon as possible . Brake fluid , as mentioned by another fellow Memeber, will definitely eat into paint in time and causes rust over time. Wiping off the paint and cleaning the area with little soap is all you need to protect the paint....
Leaving it as is a dangerous , unsafe option....

18 year of life is plenty for a brake or clutch cylinder ....
 
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Anthony at ARK Automotive in Balgowlah just overhauled brakes on my 74CS, one of his employees did their apprenticeship on E9s in the early 70's... the memory was rusty but he did an amazing job.
 
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