Brake Master cylinder disassembly

[roland]

Thanks for all your help getting the MC apart... It seems overall clean (some sludge at the rear and rust on the outside stop washer).
My question is how do I tell if my seals are still good (they seem fine) ?
Also I don't understand how to get the 3 remaining seals off the piston without stretching them out with a screwdriver to pull them off (thus maybe damaging them a little on the way) ?
I tried unscrewing the end of the piston but it seems to be made out of one piece. Am I right ?
Are they sold (seal + piston) as a unit or do they just sell the seals separately ?

[ossodiseppia]

WOW, do those pistons look great! Since you have the piece apart, you may as well replace the seals and do a proper rebuild. You are right, to remove and install the seals, you will ned to stretch them. Just be careful to not scratch the pistons, too much.

As I said in an earlier posting, you might want to have the cylinder sleeved. Some feel brass is the way to go and others feel that stainless steel is the way to go. I'm going with stainless steel on mine.

When you reassemble, use the correct brake assembly lubrication. It doesn't attract water like brake fluid. So, your rebuilt master cylinder can sit on the shelf for a while without rusting.

Those are great pics. The pistons are NLA from Ate. Seal kits are available from Alfa Stop, but I wouldn't use them on my car. You can purchase a dual circuit 22mm rebuild kit (seals only) for Spider/Alfetta and a single circuit 22mm rebuild kit (seals only) for Giulia with power brakes. The two comboned will have the parts you need to rebuild your cylinder. The boot that comes with the Giulia kit looks different, but should fit fine.

[roland]

Thanks Osso....
I want to find the right boot though (held by 2 spring clips).. Would any US based disributors have any you think ?

[roland]

Osso,
My brake MC seems clean as a whistle ... probably had been resleeved by PO.
I am looking for a diagram with the orientation and order of the grooved and non grooved seals on the pistons.. but can't find anything.. Any idea of how they should be set (other than how mine were) ?

[ossodiseppia]

I have some assembly instruction at home. I can scan them and post them here tonite. Unless, Papajam beats me to it!

[roland]

Where did you find your replacement boot and seals Osso ?

[ossodiseppia]

You can get them any place that supplies Alfa parts. Here are the pics from the International website. The two kits have the parts that you need to rebuild your cylinder. As far as I know the original style boot is NLA.

[roland]

Why does one need correct brake assembly lubrication ?
Can't I just assemble it with a bit of brake fluid ?
I am not sure how to find this stuff here in France .. I am travelling in 2 weeks to the states.. maybe I can buy some there (I am gathering a shopping list for my trip there ) ?

[ossodiseppia]

Read thru this. You should be able to locate some assembly lube. Brake fluid absorbs water. If your cylinder is going to sit for a long time in a humid area, the small amount of brake fluid that you have used to rebuild will absorb the water and then may cause the cylinder to rust.

I used the assembly lube because I don't know how long it's going to be before I get my car on the road. I am hoping for this year, but you never know.

Where will you be traveling to?

[roland]

Now do you have to clean the lube off when you hook up the sysstem and fill it with brake fluid or you can leave it in (compatible with the brake fluid) ?
I am travelling to Boston for 3 days (perhaps a clip to the big apple for fun if I can fix it up). Any good addresses in the boston area ??

[ossodiseppia]

The lube is compatible with brake fluid. Look at the link and then locate the supplier. You could order and have it sent to where you are taying.

[papajam]

Or, if you make it to the Big Apple, I'm but an hour west. Stop on by and I'll give you some.

[ossodiseppia]

You have an endless supply, don't you.

[papajam]

Well........not exactly endless.