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MG TD TF 1500 - I Should Read the WSM More Carefully

I was coming home from our morning walk around the park last week and just as I turned into the drive way, the brake peddle went to the floor.

Fortunately the E-Brake works very well.

There was a stream of expensive DOT-5 from the drivers side all the way down the drive way hill.
Pulling into the garage I found the Master Cylinder empty. I filled it up and stepped on it again. Slow fade, Much slower than when t went at the top of the hill.

I have a sheet of white Melamine under the car, so I can readily see where the leaks are, and I found a big puddle under the MC. It was only a few years old but with the reports of MC issues I have read, I ordered a new one without further checking.

After it came, and before I installed the new one, I wiped up the spill and this time had my daughter look for the spill as I stepped on the brake peddle.

IT WAS NOT THE MC.

The rear, drivers side brake line had been rubbing on the rear axle strap. It had worn through.

I had that happen on the passenger side a year or two ago and I thought I fixed both sides at the time. No disaster then. These are the original (steel) brake lines. It looks as though some PO (or perhaps the factory) had built up the drivers side line.
It must have worn through just as I came up and over the bump at the curb.

I did open up the crack a fit to make it more visible in the picture.

Very Very Lucky.

I have installed a new CuNi line from AS and I think I will change the passenger side since its not 1" away from the strap on that side.

Jim B.


JA Benjamin

The side curtain box can also wear away the line at the rear of the diff, especially if the rear compartment has ever been used to carry a passenger. Over time this causes the box to bend at the top perimeter flange and move towards the front of the car which can result in the sort of wear Jim experienced. Check out the brake line path shown on the lubrication drawing at the rear of the Driver's Handbook. There is a dotted line showing the route of the brake lines adjacent to the rear axle, which runs around the straps and is the path that I chose to use when installing the Cunifer lines. However I accept that this is not the route partially shown in any of the other illustrations in that publication or in any of the barn finds on Chris's site. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Although an expensive outlay I can't recommend to highly a car lift if your garage -and budget allow. I'm fortunate to have one. Drive on raise all in no more than 5mins and go around the car looking for those problems that exist or may occur. A great help with maintenance as well.
JK Mazgaj

I agree, just having issues getting budgetary approval.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

I'd settle for a garage! A car lift would be 'bloody luxury'.. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I would add to my comment about a lift that although mine is in a garage it could be outside. It's single phase and I bought it second hand. Paid £1100 had to dismantle myself and for personal satisfaction replaced the cables. In all took two of us a weekend. Bought from a garage closing for business.
JK Mazgaj

This thread was discussed between 24/07/2019 and 26/07/2019

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