88 Brake Fluid Reservoir Replacement

[kalahari]

Has anyone replaced the Girling brake fluid reservoir with any luck? I have a fluid leak somewhere in the master cylinder area. I was thinking about going ahead and springing for the master cylinder, but the fluid leaks from the Max level to the Min level mark and then stops. It never goes farther than that, leading me to believe the reservoir has a small leak. It stops just below the sensor. When I'm driving the brake light goes on and off depending on where the fluid is in the tank. I've filled it 3 times over the last month and now have gone over a week driving with the light on and it's still right there at the min level.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GregH]

Why do you think the reservoir is leaking?

Can you see wet brake fluid under the cylinder? Is the bottom of the booster wet or the inner fender or firewall?

Are you having probs with the master cylinder not pumping up properly? Is the pedal ever going to the floor?

Check under your truck and look at the inside of the wheels for wet brake fluid. Pull the wheels and check the calipers as well. It could be one of your brake calipers is leaking rather than the reservoir.

That said, I replaced my reservoir about 10 years ago because the seal under the reservoir was leaking where it attaches to the master cylinder. I think I have an extra reservoir in my garage and I can give you the part number if you need it.

To replace the reservoir, remove the old one and the seals too. Take the new seals and lightly lubricate them with DOT 4. Install the seals first into the master cylinder and use a CLEAN round non-metallic object to fully seat the seals into the cylinder (IIRC I used a new small wooden popsicle stick).

When the seals are fully seated, lightly lubricate the inside of the seals with DOT 4 and ROLL the reservoir from one side to the other while firmly inserting the reservoir into the seals that are already inserted into the master cylinder.

When fully inserted, wipe off any excess and fill with DOT 4 and completely bleed brake system as normal.

If you do have to replace the master cylinder, let me know if you find a better one than this one as I'm in the process of replacing mine:

http://www.motorcarsltd.com/item.ww...id=motorcarsltd.com&clientid=motorcarsltd.com

My 2 cents-

 

[kalahari]

I'm not seeing brake fluid dripping from anywhere but the master cylinder area. I get a little concentration of it on the seam where the wheel well meets the firewall.

As far as the brakes go they work great. After I purchased it I had gone through by LR mechanics. All it needed was new pads and a line or something at the left rear wheel. The pedal is firm and she stops with no issue.

The reason I'm pointing to the tank is that it only leaks down to the min level mark. I'd expect there is some small crack or pinhole in the tank at the point where it stops leaking. If it was something else in the system leaking wouldn't the level continue to drop? Last time I filled the tank to the max level it took ~ 4 days for the fluid to drop to the min level. I've been at that level for over a week now without adding fluid and it's still right there at the min level mark.

 

[kevin-ct]

Call Paul Grant. we just took off one from an 88 that was nice.

paulgrant@mac.com

 

[GregH]

Yes, it sounds like you have a leaky reservoir from your description.

For a replacement reservoir:

LR Part number RTC5833 or Lucas part number 74947243-about $60-65.

 

[kalahari]

The tank change seems to have cured the leaking problem. I got a tank kit from AB, but only installed the tank and it's two seals. Going on 6 days and no change in the fluid level.

Thanks for the help!