13 replies to this topic

[Edington]

I know this job is real pain as I've done it a few times in the past. But being 70+ years of age now I was wondering if anyone has a way of doing it without putting your back out? Here's hoping someone has a great idea or has made up some magic tool! 

[mab01uk]

Catmint do this tool in link below which makes part of the job a little easier....

 

Master Cylinder Pin Tool

"A handy little tool for removing and replacing the master cylinder clevis pin. Sloped leading edge helps the tool to get behind the pin head for removal and the spring top stops it from falling into the bulkhead and holds it in place for replacement. Unfortunately it doesn’t help with the cotter/split pin and having to crawl upside down in the car, that is still a pain of a job."

https://shop.catmint...n-tool-cat2017/

 

Some Mini owners also replace the split pin with a suitable size R clip but there have been cases of an R clip becoming dislodged in use, which is obviously not good on the brake pedal....

I believe Australian Minis used R clips during factory production but the correct size (approx 20mm long) and type is essential for safety.

Somerfords R Clip:-

https://www.somerfor...clevis-pins-etc

 

Edited by mab01uk, 17 November 2024 - 07:13 PM.

[Spider]

Remove the seat and steering column. It doesn't make the job of doing it any easier but does give better access and less painful I find.

[Chris1275gt]

Getting it out is a right pain in the neck and back when you put it back in use the nicklouse trick with an old fork and use an R clip instead of a split pin then if you have to take it out again it’s a 2 minute job with the homemade tool in the other pic.

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[Mr Piggy]

Pull the pedal up to stop the clevis rotating while ypu straighten the legs of the split pin. I like the fork idea to hold the clevis when refitting.

[Shooter63]

Remove the seat and steering column. It doesn't make the job of doing it any easier but does give better access and less painful I find.

Can I add that if possible remove the seat brackets and put pieces of polystyrene wall insulation in the footwells to add a bit of comfort, you might want to try extended long nose pliers on those split pins and hope the clevis pins are in a good mood.

Shooter

[weef]

When the split pin is difficult to straighten it is sometimes easier to cut the eye off with a good pair of cutters and pull out the legs..

As regards refitting I use a long piece of welding rod the correct diameter to go through the clevis pin hole.

Using a long lenght of rod its easy to guide it through the hole, push plenty through so you can reach up to bend it easily, cut the end you are holding to a similar lenght, bend it over then trim both end with your side cutters.

Next time you have to remove it just cut the welding rod and remove the

Using a long lenght of wire means you can see what your doing and don't keep dropping the split pin..

[Spider]

following on from Chris's suggestion, for what ever it's worth the Aussie Cars for most of their production life were factory fitted with R Clips. If you do choose to fit them, be sure they are short. If they are too long, they'll pop out.

 

The shortest one here is fine. Somerfords have them.

 

 

Can I add that if possible remove the seat brackets and put pieces of polystyrene wall insulation in the footwells to add a bit of comfort,

 

 

Goodness no !!!  Don't do that !!

 

That's the Chiropractic treatment that you need after doing the job !!
 

[Edington]

Many thanks guys for the tool suggestions. I'll get my 40 year old son to do, he's more flexible than me    

[coopertaz]

easy to make pin tool from two metal strips with a slot in one and riveted together if you make it about 250mm overall length. also use correct size r-clip and long nosed pliers to fit it, with seat out this makes the job quite easy. then the hardest job is refitting the air pipe without breaking the brake light switch!

[bpirie1000]

Many thanks guys for the tool suggestions. I'll get my 40 year old son to do, he's more flexible than me 

Just say you bet him a fiver he can not do it.. red bull to a nag that..

[stuart bowes]

are you replacing the master cylinder?  just a thought I'm wondering if you could unbolt it, have someone press the clutch pedal down, lift the cylinder and have enough space to just cut the piston shaft

 

if that works then back inside and able to pull the pedal towards you and easier access to the rotten old pin which no doubt has has a ridge worn into it which will make removal a pain

 

not done that myself though just wondering if it would be easier

Edited by stuart bowes, 19 November 2024 - 01:21 PM.

[Rubbershorts]

are your replacing the master cylinder?  just a thought I'm wondering if you could unbolt it, have someone press the clutch pedal down, lift the cylinder and have enough space to just cut the piston shaft
 
if that works then back inside and able to pull the pedal towards you and easier access to the rotten old pin which no doubt has has a ridge worn into it which will make removal a pain
 
not done that myself though just wondering if it would be easier

Think I'll give this a go when I change mine. Thanks.

[Edington]

Yesterday I got my son to remove the split pin, for me that was the easy solution  . The photo shows the mess that has resulted from 15 years of outside storage! the nuts holding the clutch master cylinder and brake servo bracket were so rusty that a 1/2" AF was too big and a 7/16" was too small, hence the drastic action to get access by grinding off the clutch master cylinder. Fortunately the cylinder was leaking anyway !! 

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