4 replies to this topic

[MiniAdam]

Hello-

Im looking into buying a 1979 mini I saw on Ebay- Problem is it has non working brakes. I expect its the master cylinder but having only owned Citroens so far I dont know much about Master Cylinders as Citroens dont have them! Was hjoping someone will be able to tell me if its likely to be something else and where to go from here. Many thanks, Adam

[dklawson]

How does any car "not" have a master cylinder if it has hydraulic brakes?

Before you buy any parts you really should diagnose the brake system completely. Post more details about the car including what you know to be on it and what the brake symptoms are. There are many people on this board who can offer you troubleshooting advice when they have that information.

[MiniAdam]

Hello- thanks for the reply. Sorry I wasnt more specific about the problem. I have not yet spoken to the owner of the car I was just going by what information is on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...1QQcmdZViewItem

Will speak to the owner tomorrow but it doesnt look like they have been able to diagnose the problem from what they say.

Also, with Citroens (The Hydraulic suspension ones), there is no Master Cylinder-It has what is called a brake dossier valve- basically the brakes are powered, not power assisted, in that the movement at the pedal doesnt push a cylinder to transmit force to the brake cylinders, but simply regulates the pressure of fluid that is allowed to excape to the brakes from the high pressure pump that aslo works the suspension. Sorry if thats a long explaination-I know a lot about Citroens so it will take me a long time to get used to a car that has normal brakes and suspention.

[dklawson]

Well... there are many things that could be wrong since all they say is "the brakes don't work".

I found it interesting that they bothered to leave the "club" on the steering wheel to secure a 25+ year old car with a flat battery and no brakes !

Thanks for the hydraulic explanation. If you get this car, do post back here. There's a lot of technical help available here and I'm sure it could be sorted out with a few more new parts, bleeding the system, and proper adjustment.

Good luck with the auction!

[Guess-Works.com]

Go for it, MK3 minis are getting scarse, it probably only needs a good sort out, nothing too expensive there, even if you have to replace the whole system.