Help identifying brake master cylinder

[The Horse]

Hello
Having fitted stainless braided hoses and rebuilt the driveshafts I was looking forward to getting my S3c on the road this weekend for the monthly TVRCC regional meet.
When I came to try and bleed the brakes however, air seemed to be getting into the rear brakes. Closer inspection shows a weep of fluid down the front of the servo.
The previous owner says he replaced the servo last year (2017) with a Ford unit but retained the original master cylinder (possibly SAAB) by using an alloy spacer between the servo and master cylinder.
Can anyone confirm what master cylinder is currently fitted to the car from the attached photo ? The mounting studs are orientated at 2 o'clock and 7 o'clock.
Is it possible to get a seal repair kit for this master cylinder or is there a better "new" solution ?
Thanks
David

Edited by The Horse on Wednesday 14th March 22:23

[v8s4me]

It looks like the usual Ford one but with a remote reservoir.

[greymrj]

I cant see the orientation of the servo from that but if the original servo and master cylinder matched, and either was SAAB then changing the servo to Ford would put the cylinder 45 degrees off. The idea of inserting a plate horrifies me. It should definitely not be done. That must effect the master cylinder performance at maximum. I am afraid this isn't going to be easy, someone has done a dangerous bodge. It will be important to try to identify the servo before you change the leaking cylinder. Be careful with that leaking fluid, it will have gone under the servo, removed the paint and ensured it will rust quickly if you don't re-treat it. Is there anybody close to you to do a comparison on servos?

[greymrj]

v8s4me said:

It looks like the usual Ford one but with a remote reservoir.

I may be wrong Joe, and it is difficult to be sure from that angle, but the servo looks too 'conical' to me? Dangerous botch with the collar though.

[v8s4me]

You may be right there.

[The Horse]

Thanks for the replies.
Sounds like I need to sort this out properly.
Here's another photo taken looking at the servo from the end of the master cylinder.



Can anyone tell me whether this is a "suitable" ford master cylinder ? I like the idea of an integral reservoir.

https://brakeparts.co.uk/shop/Ford/Fiesta/95-99/Fi...

If I need to start from scratch, can anyone point me to a servo and master cylinder that will work together ?

Cheers
David

Edited by The Horse on Wednesday 14th March 22:14

Edited by The Horse on Wednesday 14th March 22:16

[greymrj]

The one you quote is not correct, different brake pipe fittings.

Read this through, it will give you an idea of the issues and will give you the correct part numbers, but do read it all as the information did develop.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There are also some later PH postings. Google TVR S Brake servo and you will find this have been quite an issue.

If you are prepared to buy new, and with brakes it really is the only sensible way, then go to TVR Parts Ltd, they can sell you a correct servo and master cylinder that MATCH each other. I think it will be the Ford version with the integral fluid reservoir.

You will be asked to set up an account, worth it for the future as they are gradually expanding their range of parts for the S.

That may not however match the holes on your bulkhead! Don't worry, it isn't a big issue, some cars have them drilled for the SAAB reservoir some for the Ford and the above post includes the template for redrilling. The two servos have exactly the same performance but the master cylinders are NOT interchangeable.

[AutoAndy]

I had a slight leak from the master cylinder once and did a lot of research as mine was the saab unit on a S3C. Turned out the best was to get the newer ford unit (originally from a Mk3 Fiesta (rare as hens teeth now) but with the related servo unit....glad I did as when I took the whole lot off the servo just fell apart...Note: check the underneath of your servo as that is exposed to water/salt from the wheels and where that brake-fluid leak will dribble down to.

It is the same units as on Griffs and they had an issue with getting newer units but they are now available (i think from TVR parts), but get both units and make sure you have 3-400 in your bank first....

Good luck

[The Horse]

Thanks
Servo is now off but I can't see any make, part number or indeed anything at all.
The 4 mounting bolts to the bulk head are M8 and the two bolts to the master cylinder are M10.
Is there anything I can measure to tell me what type of servo this is ?







If it is a Ford servo as the PO informs me, could someone show me a link to the correct master cylinder please ?
I can see that Racetech and TVR Parts do a master cylinder suitable for Chimaeras and Griffiths for approx £110 but that's without the reservoir, which Racetech want another £143 pounds for (including the lid) !!!!
Thanks
David

[v8s4me]

It looks like a Ford Fiesta one to me. Here's mine for comparison...





TVR Parts sell THIS which might be what you need.

[Maffe]

Have you checked that the brakebooster is ok?
Changing both would make sense when your at it and no issues with parts not matching, except for maybe the size at the hole in the brake leaver.

[The Horse]

The servo was working fine.
I've been looking at people breaking Fiestas on-line to try and find a complete correct master cylinder with the reservoir, cap and a small bit of the loom with the connector attached.
Fingers crossed.....
David

[v8s4me]

Have a look at THIS ONE although judging from the state of the servo I'd guess the master cylinder was leaking and that's a lot to pay for a reservoir.

THIS is what you're after but once again condition might be an issue.

New Fiesta Mk3 master cylinders are available off eBay

These things were 10-a-penny just a few years back.

[Maffe]

A quick look at bildelsbasen.se and I found a bunch of cylinders including the reservoir for about 20£.
https://www.bildelsbasen.se/se-sv/Ford/FORD-FIESTA...

Let me know if your interested in buy there and need help

[The Horse]

I've bought a new master cylinder on-line. I followed the advice in "Gerald-TVR" post with all the part numbers and found a "7117260" cylinder for £60.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

This comes without the reservoir so I'm buying a complete used master cylinder with reservoir and cap.
I also used the fact that the servo was removed to take off the knackered driver's side fresh air ducting from the engine bay and blank off the hole into the cabin.
Looks much smarter now.
Trial fitted the servo in the correct orientation for the new master cylinder and it fits fine.
Just waiting for the new cylinder to arrive and plumb in the brake pipes.
Does anyone have any photos showing a good route for the brake lines, in particular the front ones which on my car, seem to be suspended in air for quite a length.
Thanks
David

Edited by The Horse on Thursday 15th March 15:14