Brian Eldred Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 Hi, I've just bought a 1955 TR2 that was fully restored in 1996/7 and hasn't been run since. It had new brake cylinder seals, a recon Lockheed master cylinder, and silicone brake fluid. But that was some 24 years ago. So my question is, do seals deteriorate with time and no use? Should I replace them all as a matter of course? My gut feeling says yes, but if there is a good pedal and no leaks maybe it's a case of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 If its been parked for that long your going to have to go through every bit of rubber on the whole car I would have said. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 Congratulations with the new joy. +1 for Stuarts advice (always follow that) I would do a major maintenance/cleaning / checking on the entire car. On the brake system replace all seals, hoses, and inspect bores. Be careful with friction material, if old it may contain asbestos. This will increase confidence, make you familiar with the car and reduce issues. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ctc77965o Posted June 17, 2020 Report Share Posted June 17, 2020 Hey Brian, This situation - storage with limited/no use is exactly what DOT5.0 was intended for. So I suggest you get some more fluid and bleed the hydraulics...if the bled fluid is clear then that implies that all remains good and nothing has degraded...if bleeding is difficult or you get blackish lumpy stuff bled out then, despite the 'inertness' of the DOT5.0, the rubber seals have degraded and its time for a re-seal all round. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 I agree with Dave. If it's been stored under cover, and the fluid in the m/c reservoir looks clear with no sediment in the bottom, then it'll be fine. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted June 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 Thanks all, I'll try bleeding first. I will of course be checking/inspecting everything on the car, particularly rubber bits. The tyres are unused but 24 years old so will have to go! It looks like the fuel supply pipework is all metal so one less task. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 Each to it’s own, that’s fine. But do check the rubber hoses, they can swell and block the lines, normally resulting in one wheel brake not releasing. Just my 2cts. Sometimes a bulge on the OD can be seen. Cheers, Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 15 hours ago, ctc77965o said: storage with limited/no use is exactly what DOT5.0 was intended for. Brian, That may well be so, but they also said that the Titanic was intended to be unsinkable. I’m one of the biggest cheapskates on this forum but no way would I trust something that is so important to safety as the brakes just because the books say that a system using DOT 5.0 can last forever with no deterioration. Remember that the TR2 has a single brake circuit. One fault and you can loose the brakes on all 4 wheels. For the sake of less than £100 you could replace all the hoses and all the seals. The fact that the pistons (master and slave) have been sitting in one place for all that time would concern me. Just my opinion. Charlie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lynchpin Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 Hi Bought my 62 TR4 in 2007 it had been rebuilt 10yrs previous and although serviced and mot every year it had done little mileage being bought as an investment, we checked everything over and 4 months later took it to 24hr Le Mans, the seals in the servo failed and lost all the brakes on the Maulsane straight, (not racing). We got it home by by-passing the servo, at home we went through all the seals on brake and clutch systems, I would advise you to do the same.. Cheers Phil.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted July 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 So common sense prevailed and I bought a complete set of seals/cylinders. Now I'm stuck on a couple of other jobs I thought I'd start with the master cylinder. Reading the manual, it says to blow out various seals with an airline. Is this the only way of doing it? (I don't have an airline) Thanks, Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 If you have either M/C full of fluid, you can knock up a slave pipe, to the other and use pedal pressure. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted July 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 18 minutes ago, John Morrison said: If you have either M/C full of fluid, you can knock up a slave pipe, to the other and use pedal pressure. John. John, this is a Lockheed m/c so has a common reservoir for both brakes and clutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 Stuart & Charlie are on the ball. Your life depends upon being able to stop when you press the brake pedal. The expense involved in renewing the rubber brake parts is peanuts really - why take the chance of killing yourself and others? Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted July 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 Ian, I fully agree! I've only been putting off the job since I wanted to get the engine running first. But before I start, I still need to know if I can dismantle the Lockheed master cylinder without an airline? Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 4 hours ago, Brian Eldred said: John, this is a Lockheed m/c so has a common reservoir for both brakes and clutch Ah sorry Brian. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 You could take it to a tank station, they have an air compressor. Fitting a grease gun to the bottom connection can give very high pressure (with grease), even a hand gun can do several 100’s of bars, iirc. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 With 2 classics in store if you can survive without a compressor you're a champ methinks. They are inexpensive and you will use it everyday Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 +1 Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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