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 Posted: Sep 20, 2019 09:50AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UXmini
So much variation in years and models...on all Minis. Sometimes I wonder how difficult it would be to create the "Master Chart" of Mini brake systems...Year/Model/Drum or Disk/Master Cyl/Single or Tandem/Slave size front-rear/Split - front-rear-diagonal/Balancing valve...etc. And what would be good to know is, if we are going to do a complete renewal/upgrade of the brake system, what is the optimal, i.e. best configuration, to put on the car?  
Depending on driving style and engine i would go with a dual circuit front / rear split non servo system with front disc brakes and good pads.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Sep 20, 2019 08:40AM
 Edited:  Sep 20, 2019 08:48AM
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I looked on the mini spares site and there are several, 3 at least, dual circuit vertical masters, one intended to operate a diagonal system, with one front brake, one rear on the opposite side, and 2 masters for front rear split braking, one intends the rear to be connected at the uppermost fitting, the other a dual bore size type, with the rears connected at the larger bore lower fitting.

 Posted: Sep 20, 2019 06:57AM
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CA
So much variation in years and models...on all Minis. Sometimes I wonder how difficult it would be to create the "Master Chart" of Mini brake systems...Year/Model/Drum or Disk/Master Cyl/Single or Tandem/Slave size front-rear/Split - front-rear-diagonal/Balancing valve...etc. And what would be good to know is, if we are going to do a complete renewal/upgrade of the brake system, what is the optimal, i.e. best configuration, to put on the car?  

 Posted: Sep 19, 2019 12:41PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UXmini
We have three Oz Mokes in the family and their master cylinders are different. What is involved in "bench bleeding"?
I have owned two  Aussie Mokes that both needed full restorations and they both looked original, both of them had a similar if not the same master cylinder as the one shown but did not say powertune on them.

Any master cylinder does the same job if you can't get a decent pedal with bleeding it try bleeding it at every pipe join starting at the front and working to the rear. when i have trouble bleeding a Mini i have also found it helps to have the rear end of the car as high as possible.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Sep 15, 2019 07:20AM
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US
I have only bench bled one British master cylinder but I have done it on a few VWs.    

The bench bleed method shown in the videos is just another application of the system bleed method described in most Haynes manuals.  In Haynes (and others) you'll read about running a piece of clear plastic tubing from a bleed nipple into a clean catch jar and putting enough clean brake fluid into that jar to cover the end of the tubing.  With the bleed nipple open you slowly pump the pedal.  With each downward stroke fluid (and air) are forced out of the tube.  On the return stroke of the pedal... if any fluid is drawn backwards it is clean fluid from the jar and free of air since the tubing is below the surface.

Your bench bleed using your thumb over the ports works basically the same.  Fluid and air is forced out around/under your thumb when you push the piston in.  On the return stroke your thumb gets "sucked" against (and blocks) the port.  Basically your thumb is acting like a check valve.  As you said, the thumb method is much easier to use with single line systems.  

Doug L.
 Posted: Sep 15, 2019 12:59AM
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Sound complicated Doug.... Must admit I've only played with single line cylinders...

In my process...bench bleeding only consists of filing the reservoir with fluid, sticking your finger over the outlet port and slowly pushing the piston up (you hold the cylinder vertical..as it will be fitted to the car.  After several pumps you will get straight fluid coming out the top.  Once the cylinder (rather than the reservoir) is full of fluid just bung one of those little plastic stoppers than come with new cylinders and install in the car.

Once installed I crack the outlet of the booster and use an Ezibleed (at low pressure ....say 5-7 psi) bleed the booster ...and so on.

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: Sep 14, 2019 05:50AM
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US
I don't believe the guy in the NAPA video has ever bench bled a master cylinder before.  Throughout the video air is continually being pumped out and then sucked back through the plastic tubing.  At the end of the video there is as much air in the master and bleed tubing as when he started and the narrator says "OK you are ready to install the master".  

He has apparently omitted a very important step.  The free ends of the plastic tubes MUST be kept below the surface of the brake fluid in the reservoir at all times so air is not drawn back into the MC.  When the tubes are kept below the surface they can only draw fluid back into the master, not air.  You must make sure the tube ends are always below the level of fluid in the reservoir during bench bleeding.

The video below isn't perfect but the narrator makes sure to stress that the tubes must be kept below the fluid and as he works you can see the air in the tubing decreases.  (In spite of what the guy in the video says... you do need to tighten the plastic bleed fittings more than finger tight.  You want to make sure no air can be sucked into the MC along the bleed fitting threads) .

Bench bleed at home:  From start to about 3:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbpVNQsfh74

Incidentally... apparently American brake MCs come with a bleed kit.  I have NEVER gotten a bleed kit with British MCs.

Doug L.
 Posted: Sep 13, 2019 05:45PM
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US
 Posted: Sep 13, 2019 01:41PM
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CA
We have three Oz Mokes in the family and their master cylinders are different. What is involved in "bench bleeding"?

 Posted: Sep 13, 2019 10:35AM
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It looks like an Australian Moke Master cylinder.
Was it bench bled before installing it?

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Sep 13, 2019 10:10AM
Total posts: 98
Last post: Oct 3, 2019
Member since:Apr 6, 2000
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CA
Image Gallery
A neighbour is having issues bleeding his rear brakes on his 1979 Mini. He has a Powertune m/c installed. Pictures attached. I have never seen a m/c like this on a Mini. Is it the right item to be using?