11 replies to this topic

[Daze]

Im thinking about getting this in the near future.

Will it work? I have a non-servo '83 City E.

This servo is for any single line brake system and was originally fitted to the Cooper S and 1275GT.

So is mine a single line? Is it possible to fit this with some mods? mk1 master cylinder, etc?

Thanks :cool:

[minidaves]

nop yours is dual curcuit and the only servo worth fitting is the 1990 onwards one, u can get these for around 50quid 2nd hand

dave

[Daze]

Damn, can I buy an early single circuit master cylinder and replace my one (which is one of these)

I just prefer the look of the remot servo, and I was going to fit it to the passenger footwell.

[Daze]

Thinking aloud:

If i were to buy a cooper s master cylinder, and connect that to a remote servo, then from that split the pipes and connect them back up to my existing pipes, that would work right?

or maybe this one as its cheaper.

Will it fit the pedal though? I guess you can get a "T-piece" or splitting pipe? I would imagine this is how mk1/2's work, right?

[Guess-Works.com]

No because the single system has a compensator on the rear subframe which adjusts the pressure to the rear brake...

The above is good advice, If you want a servo use the one which is designed for a split system, they are not uncommon and can bee seen on ebay fairly frequently, and I'm sure if you put a wanted post up, you'd probably get one fairly quickly.

If you look at your brake master you will see two pipes comming out of it not one, If you remove one of those you loose half your brakes.

The second link you showed is a clutch master, which is a different fitting and shape to a brake master...

Serious advice... Don't mess with your brake system unless you are completely sure of what you are doing, not only does your life depend on it but the lives of other road users and pedestrians.

[Daze]

Damn thats such a shame. Im sure ive seen mid-late 80's Mini's with remote servo's... Oh well, i guess Ill have to fit a boring normal one like everyone else!

[Daze]

Just been emailing Minispares this morning and they say that I can just connect the remote servo to my front system without any "ill effects", as he put it.

The same amount of pressure will hit the rear circuit, so shouldn’t have any ill affects

and

It is possible to fit that servo to your vehicle, but you will only be able to servo the front brakes, as it has the dual split system

Is that correct and OK? Thanks!

[Ade]

I don't know if any of that is true but if your determined to buy one I have one I don't want you could have for a lot cheaper than the new minispares one. :grin:

[Daze]

Cool sounds interesting! Ill PM you now... :cool:

What does everyone/anyone else think?!

[dklawson]

Well...
I'm not sure I agree with the MS comment but I DO agree with Guessworks.

The servo amplifies your pedal force using engine vacuum. This allows you to reduce your pedal effort a little for the same given braking force. Are the dual circuit brake systems as used on later Minis front/rear splits or are they diagonal? (Japanese, German, and American dual systems are typically diagonal).

If your split is diagonal... you'd have an awful mess on your car with uneven braking. If the split is front/rear... you'd apply a softer pedal with the servo for a given stop. Since you'd be applying less pedal effort with the servo the back brakes would receive less pressure and do less work. You'd probably still be safe and you certainly wouldn't be creating a rear lockup situation (very unsafe) but you would see increased wear of the front pads. Adding the servo would never reduce the total amount of stopping power you have... but it will change the balance and at a minimum would change the wear characteristics.

Stick with what's right for your car. Cool appearance be damned. Be safe.

by the way, those of us with Mk1/2 cars have been REALLY happy to see the reproduction of those "bean can" brake and clutch master cylinders. They have been unavailable for years and buying NOS ones has meant paying premium prices.

[Daze]

Ah cool I see what you're saying. I didnt reliase it could be a diagonal split, i assumed it would be front/rear. How can I tell?

I suppose it would be easier/cheaper to get a different pedal box & a mk4 servo thingy.

Thanks for erveryones advice!

[dklawson]

A "modern" Mini very well could have a front/rear split... I just don't know and I am only posing the question. Virtually every other car I've worked on has done a diagonal split but that doesn't mean BL/Rover did it that way. I consider front/rear splits dangerous based on what will happen IF you only have the rear brakes working.

Curiously, if you allow the back wheels to lock up prior to the front wheels... the back end of the car has a tendency to "come around" on you. That's why it's important that the back wheels are kept from locking up.

A simple demonstration of this is to take a Matchbox car and roll it down an inclined plane. Repeat your test after you've taped the back wheels to the side of the car to keep them from rotating. In your second test the car will snap around and go backwards down the ramp with the taped back wheels going first.