I had a couple of problems develop yesterday with my '79 Midget. I noticed
on the drive from work that the brake pedal was lower and harder than usual
so I decided to check it out as soon as I arrived home. Popped the hood and
sure enough, the rear MC reservoir was completely empty and the forward res.
was only half full. Checked around the MC for leakage--none apparant.
Pulled the front wheels first--no leakage from the calipers that I could
see--everything dry. Pulled the rear wheels--there was some dampness around
the passenger side wheel but none that I could see around the wheel cylinder.
Neither on the driver's side. There WAS a very small amount of black grease
that probably seeped from the axle housing, but there was no wetness around
the wheel cylinders, which, by the way, I had rebuilt within the past year.
While I had the rear wheels off I looked at the hose connections above the
axle housing--didnt see anything there.
Filled the MC reservoir and bled the rear lines--topped everything up and got
back the brake pedal--it feels good now. I can't figure out where the fluid
leaked from. I figure I will closely monitor the brake fluid levels and see
how quickly it leaves. Any ideas will be appreciated.
Now--another problem that developed. In replacing BOTH front wheels, and
tightening the lug nuts with arm strength only, no body weight at all, I
snapped off 1 lug bolt per wheel. I called my mechanic who has a supply of
bolts, and he said that was from fools (DPO, not me) putting the wheels back
on with Air wrenches. They apply too much torque and will eventually break
the lugs. Soooo--I am wondering whether I should replace ALL the lug bolts,
not knowing how many others might be stressed by some fool with an air
weapon. If they snap with only ARM strength, might they snapas well in a
tight curve at 55 mph? Something to thinkabout for all of us!
----David C.
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