Technical Fiat 1100D: Master cylinder removal

[ananth02]

I have a 1972 Fiat 1100D with a leaky master cylinder. The cylinder is actually a local make since you don't get genuine ones brand new anymore. However, you still get the rubber seal kit made by the same company that used to make the OE master cylinder.

I only wanted to ask what it takes to remove the cylinder itself. Some have asked me to get the entire pedal set (brake and clutch) out together then disconnect the cylinder from the brake pedal. Others claim removing the brake pedal pin and undoing the pipes and bolts will get it out.

 

[rogerbeattie]

Did you get it out? You can remove the pedal shafts and unbolt the whole unit from the subframe .... not the most fun job but just time. There are still new ones available but getting expensive now. The Baldwin style seals work better with edge lubrication so don't be tempted to stainless sleeve it. If you do you will be replacing seals pretty often. Cheers

 

[ananth02]

Did you get it out? You can remove the pedal shafts and unbolt the whole unit from the subframe .... not the most fun job but just time. There are still new ones available but getting expensive now. The Baldwin style seals work better with edge lubrication so don't be tempted to stainless sleeve it. If you do you will be replacing seals pretty often. Cheers

Hey,

Yes I did manage to remove and fix the master cylinder. Here in India, there was a company named TVS Girling (also called "Brakes India") which used to make these. Unfortunately, even these are very hard to procure so I bought a local repro. The repro worked for 3 days before I noticed drips from the dust cover. All this was done by my mechanic but he was too busy to fix the new leaking MC so I had to do it myself (reason why I posted here).

Finally, after a lot of research and asking around, I was told I could use the repro but with a TVS Girling major kit inside (they still make these mercifully). The kit includes the seals and a new piston. I removed the master cylinder (was a bit tricky as you mentioned). The biggest issue was I couldn't get the pedal set out in one piece. I had to remove the clutch pedal and move it around to make room and get the platform that houses the MC off the subframe. I also inspected the bore myself and it was in perfect shape. The rest of it was a breeze including bleeding. Adjusting the brakes unfortunately hasn't been that easy. It's been 3 months since I did this and I am glad to report the system is working perfectly. No drop in fluid levels at all.

Attaching a few pics of the master cylinder overhaul (in no particular order below)