eds Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I came out to find a puddle of brake fluid on the rear wheel all over the tyre and road. How can so much fluid leak? Is the brake system permanently pressured? I notice on Les' thread that he blocks off the brake pipe whilst changing the wheel cylinders. Am I in for a real chore bleeding the new brake cylinders now that it has leaked all over the road? Will it damage my tyre? Last time I tried to change some wheel cylinders on a metro I had to give up due to my failings. Are Defenders quite easy to bleed? Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I came out to find a puddle of brake fluid on the rear wheel all over the tyre and road. How can so much fluid leak? probably a seal gone in wheel cylinder Is the brake system permanently pressured? No I notice on Les' thread that he blocks off the brake pipe whilst changing the wheel cylinders. usually clamp hose to stop fluid leaking out and decreases amount of bleeding needed Am I in for a real chore bleeding the new brake cylinders now that it has leaked all over the road? YES You will have lost lot of fluid look at m/cyl reservoir and prob find one section empty You also need to find source of leak and repair it Will it damage my tyre? No, just wash of with soapy water Last time I tried to change some wheel cylinders on a metro I had to give up due to my failings. Have you got a manual or a mate with more idea , as its not tech difficult Are Defenders quite easy to bleed? Yes nothing fancy HTSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Once you have a leak, brake fluid will flow down hill just like any other fluid. The master cylinder is the highest point of the system. After a significant leak, I would cheek all four corners. The chance of air being trapped is high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sugden Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 It happened to me tuther week, didn't realise until I reversed out of the garage and didn't stop then found the suspect puddle. Rebuilt both front calipers with new pots and seals then bled each corner to be sure. Going to do the back when I've replaced the rear axle with a disco disk brake axle. It could be eventful it happening out on the road if it floods out quite quickly. Thankfully mine went overnight too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks for the replies I know it is the rear wheel cylinder leaking Is it really likely to have emptied the fluid reservoir? I've ordered some Lockhead replacements @12.50 each seemed good value. The Delphi ones were 36 each, not sure what the difference would be.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Yup, its drains pretty much all the oil out the resovior and upper system, you should now treat the system as though it has been totally emptied, I'd recomend bleeding all your breakes after you fix the problem. I had exactly the same happen to one of my front calipers. it seems to be the way they fail. Mav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 The reservoir is chambered - front to back brakes, so unless you have a leak on the front, then only the rear needs attention. If you look at the reservoir you will see that what appears to be half of it still has fluid in it (but at a low level). The seal failure will mean that it's likely that the fluid has drained right out, so both back brakes will need to be bled (they are joined on the rear axle). If the fluid has got on the brake shoes (and it's highly likely if you have been driving it), then the shoes will have to be replaced (axle set is both sides, so you have to). Note the position of the springs before you take them apart (people quite often get the arrangement wrong). Turn the adjuster snails to minimum as well, but expect them to be siezed. So strip, zero the snails, clean up, fit new cylinder, fit new shoes (and springs if necessary). Bleed the system witrh either a pressure ,(remember the max pressure of using it),or vaccuum bleeder, or get some one to help with the old 'press', 'release', sytem. Fluid is DOT4 mineral, and 1/2 litre should be enough. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks Les for that! Alarmingly before last week I had to top up my resevoir, obviously the problem had started. I found in the shed this fluid which was DOT 4 but I can not tell whether it is synthetic or mineral. It says it contains polyalkelene glycerol ethers It also says don't use in some vehicles as they need LHM mineral fluid. Have I done wrong or is this just normal mineral brake fluid. Uploading pics is impossible to fathom, I have tried to here! https://picasaweb.google.com/edward.hignett/NewFolder?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOfzqbDawqmDuQE&feat=directlink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 I have googled polyalkelene glycerol ethers and it leads me to believe this is standard mineral brake fluid. I am putting aside my anxiety unless someone says otherwise. The only other query is if it was half open for a few years before use does that matter. People say it has to be a sealed bottle, this had its lid on but was half used so no silver seal. Does it matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I'd bin it & buy a new litre of fluid, brake fluid absorbs moisture, so with known new fluid brakes will be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 If the main lid was screwed on, then it'll be fine to use. If you buy a bottle to top up occasionally, then chucking it away after using a small amount is plainly ridiculous. Brake fluid is poisonous, so a secondary seal (the foil), is just a safety measure. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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