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September 29th, 2008

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Q & A: Brake Fluid and Bleeding

Friday July 06th, 2007
Q & A, MGA, MGB, MGC, MG T-Type, Midget
John:

I read in the last MGBD about the problem with the clutch hydraulic system. The one question that you didnât answer was the bleeding problem with that system. My wife had threatened me, and derided my mechanical ability, because of the bleeding system I was using kept
her pumping the clutch pedal for long periods of time. I finally found that if you take the slave cylinder off, it was usually off anyway for repair, blow the piston to the full out position, and fill it with fluid. Then, making sure the master cylinder reservoir is drained of most of the fluid, the slave cylinder still loose from the
engine is attached to the fluid line. Now, holding the cylinder so that the port is up, force the piston fully in. There is enough fluid in the slave cylinder to fill the line, and flush any air into the master cylinder, and up and out the way air wants to go.

After fighting the leaks with silicone brake fluid, I have now changed to Valvoline full synthetic brake fluid which seems to be avery good alternative. Also, NAPA now carries a very good brake and caliper grease, âStay Lube Synthetic Brake and Caliper Greaseâ. It is compatible with all paints and rubbers, and has a good tack to
stay in place and not bleed. So far, seems to work well keeping moisture out of the aluminum T brake cylinders.

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the note and the updates about the synthetic fluid.

When I'm bleeding a clutch, I use the following technique:

Remove the bleeder and use your finger;
finger off,... read more