[Spridgets] leaking master cylinder?

[David Riker]

Your Midget (1969-79) has a split hydraulic braking system.  The reservoir 
is split in half, with the larger section feeding the front brakes and the 
smaller section feeding the rears.  The section that was empty is leaking, 
the section that still had fluid is not.  That is the safety feature and how 
it should work, so that in theory, you always have 1/2 of your braking in 
case of a system failure.  The fact that fluid is on your pedal means that 
the master cylinder is where the leak is.  Time to rebuild (a pain) the 
master cylinder or replace (more costly, but less frustrating).  There are 
several vendors on the list that can provide you with either a rebuild kit, 
or a replacement master cylinder.  NOTE:  The rear wheel cylinders usually 
aren't far behind, or may already be leaking and you just haven't discovered 
it yet.  ALSO, if they've never been replaced, it is time for new flex lines 
to the front brakes and at the rear.  Flex lines, wheel cylinders and a new 
master cylinder, Castrol DOT 4, and about 4 hours.  Have fun with the E 
clips on the wheel cylinders.  If you've never done them before, find a 
spridget'eer that has to come help.
DavidR.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ryan.kubanoff at comcast.net>
To: "spridgets" <spridgets at autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 4:17 PM
Subject: [Spridgets] leaking master cylinder?


>I took the midget out for a ride today in the lovely 50+ degree weather 
>(first
> time in 2 weeks) .B  As i backed out of the driveway i noticed the brakes 
> were
> spongy but when i pumped them they were fine.B  When i came home i checked 
> and
> saw that the front half of the master cylinder was empty and the back half 
> was
> filled but only to the top of the divider.B  I also noticed that the brake
> pedal shaft was wetB  as was the pedal pad.B  I refilled the master 
> cylinder
> and the brakes came back strong.B  What am I looking at here? whats wrong 
> and
> how do i fix it?
>
> Ryan