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Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

Last post 06-27-2007, 5:14 PM by lcjutila. 5 replies.
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  •  06-22-2007, 3:54 PM 7923

    Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

    Attempting to bleed the brakes I find the bleed valve is on the bottom of the cylinder. This leaves an air chamber above the valve. Anyone have any comments? Have the wrong cylinders been installed sometime? ??
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  •  06-26-2007, 1:52 PM 7988 in reply to 7923

    Re: Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

    Hollis-

    I agree with your observation. I recall seeing the same thing on some cars in the past. Not sure if the installation is correct. Could be that the brakes were done and the wheel cylinders were switched right for left/left for right. Don't have a "B" car to look at at this time to verify. Is it even possible to install them any other way? Where does the bleed passage end up inside the cylinder? Near the top? I'm looking forward to a definitive answer on this one.

    LCJUTILA 

  •  06-26-2007, 4:09 PM 7993 in reply to 7923

    Re: Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

    Could the supply line and the bleeder screw be reversed?

  •  06-27-2007, 4:47 AM 8045 in reply to 7923

    Re: Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

    Hi,  I recently had the same problem on My 1958 Sprite when I replaced all the cylinders and hardward surrounding.  when putting it back together I put the brake line in at the top of the 2 way union (or junction) and the bleed screw in at the bottom.  I subsequently found it impossible to get the pedal hard by bleeding the brakes.  Finally in despiration I took it to my mechanic and he then proceeded to exchange the master cylinder befor properly diagnosing the problem.  Simply switching the bleed screw with the brake pipe should fix the problem..........
  •  06-27-2007, 4:24 PM 8058 in reply to 8045

    Re: Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

    Folks,

    It is an unfortunate fact of life, but a very real one, that the bleeders are on the bottom on B wheel cylinders. The bleed screw and the feed line are different diameters and threads. You cannot exchange them, so that remedy wont work. And, to make matters stickier, there are locating pins on the cylinders. They will only go in one way.

    When bleeding MGB rear brakes it is necessary to use sufficient force on the pedal downstroke to force air and fluid to go through at a rate which overcomes this design inconvenience. Also, do not dawdle in gettingt the bleed screw closed at the conclusion of the pedal downstroke. In fact, it is better to close the screw just before the stroke is completed. You can tell this because the fluid will still be flowing. Don't worry, it can be done.

    For a more complete story on bleeding MGB brakes (or any brakes, for that matter) View my post number 4804, or better still, the entire thread titled "Leaking master cylinder?" of which it is part. Good luck.


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon
  •  06-27-2007, 5:14 PM 8059 in reply to 8058

    Re: Bleeding brakes, rear MGB, 1973

    Motorbill-

    I knew my memory didn't fail me. I also remember getting a rock solid pedal on my bgt so your observation about it being doable is true. Still scratching my head about why they did it that way in the first place. Probably the old Brit who knows passed away. Didn't these guys invent disc brakes? I'm only half kidding in suggesting that maybe they were trying to have the air act as a proportioning valve between the discs and drums.

    LCJUTILA