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Triumph TR6 - M Cylinder tipping valve nut removal

It seems that my master cylinder has sprung a leak and fluid has started leaking. Lots. It's leaking between the MC and the servo unit, so I assume one of the seals are gone. Perhaps it had something to do with the +5C to -25C drop in temp last night?? Brittle?

I've removed the MC, the reservoir and my manual says to slightly push in the secondary valve so the tipping valve seats. Now remove the valve. Nice, but it's held in place by a nut that looks like it needs the largest allen key ever to remove it. What tool do I need/use to get this nut removed? tks

Mati
Mati Holland

You are correct a large allen head is the only way
I could get mine out.
BILL

Big allen head, what we would call a 1/2" size down here in Baja Canada (if I am remembering size correctly). Knowing the tightly held tolerances of these fine pieces, I bet that there would be no problem in sticking a 13 mm into what would other wise be considered a 12.7 mm hole.......
SteveP

Hey Mati,

I bought a 1/2" hex socket with 1/2" drive from Atlas Machine Supply on Queen St and works great. You are welcome to borrow mine if you can not find one. An allen key that large is impossible to find.
Steven

This is one that I can help with. I too had a leaking MC and arrived to the point that you described. Went looking for the allen wrench to no avail. Thought about a nut to slip into place. Too thin! Went to Lowe's and bought a threaded rod coupling. Worked like a charm. All for the sum of 80 cents.
Thanks,
Ashley
Ashley

I just used the hex head of a bolt that fit - attached a pair of vice-grips to the threaded part and turned.
Of course, I can't remember the bolt size!?!?

Aivars Berzins
Aivars Berzins

Take your MC to Sears and find the allen wrench that fits; that's what I did. I tried the bolt approach too but couldn't get a good enough grip to untorque the nut.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Hi Mati

Crap tire sells the individual socket keys for that usually 3/8 drive 1/2 key. Around $5.00 good enough for that.

If the car has been running standard brake fluid and hasn't had a drain and refill they build moisture and yes operating at -25 will damage.

If the reservour seals were OK before. I would highly suspect moisture in the lines and old brake fluid. Funny thing about hydraulics if nothing moves seals blow.

Yep at the rate your going I figure you giving advice by June. :)

Bill
Bill Brayford

When using a hex head, instead of vise grips,put two nuts on the bolt. With an open wrench, use the lower nut for when retrieving the Allen...
Angel L. Traverso

Mati
Bill said it....1/2" You probably have a 1/2 hex head bolt lying around. I simply bent the bolt into an "L" shape and you have a handle..pliers can be used for extra leverage. The bolt will cost you all of a buck.
Rick C
Rick Crawford


Nuts!! I've tried the hex head of a bolt, with two nuts, won't hold.

Tried a hex head, bent the bolt, it snapped off.

Tried Can Tire, they don't stock 1/2" socket key.

I'm off to Sears tonight to see if they have an allen key, and if that's doesn't work, I'm going bring Steve a beer when I visit him and borrow his socket. That's going to cost me more than a buck, but probably a better investment.
Mati

Mati
Looks like luck is not on your side for this one. It should not be that difficult to remove. Before you go have some wobbly pop, fill the tipping valve with WD40.
Ya it is going to cost u more than a buck but you get to meet another TR owner and swap stories and pick Stevens brain:)
Rick C
Heck take the rebuild kit with you and maybe 2 beers later you will have it rebuilt!
Rick Crawford


fyi - I soaked (in) some Guinesss last night while the tipping valve soaked in WD40. Today I went to the phone book a found an industrial tool supplier (CISCO) who sold me a 1/2" allen key for $6 CDN. Let the fun begin.

I'll need to find another problem to visit Steve. (At this rate, it should be early next week) tks
Mati
Mati

Mati

Again you are welcome to use my socket, I only used it once and I purchased it for a single use, so it just sits around in my tool cabinet. You can also buy the socket from Atlas on Queen St 416-598-3553 and works with a 1/2" rachet drive.

If you need another specialty tool I also fabricated a custom one for taking out the solinoid from a J-type transmission. By the way no normal spanner will work on it as it is 1" and is extremely thin and needs a bent handle profile.

Generally you should not find it a problem with the tipping valve seized in, it comes out with not too much effort.

I would only consider re-building the MC with an original Lucas-Girling repair kit. The PBR from Australia does not give me any confidence based on other problems I had with their kits and we are talking main brakes here. The L-G kit is about $85.

Once you have gotten it appart make sure there is no pitting nor scorring on the surfaces, if that is the case then the MC is toast. Though some people have re-sleaved them however the cost of doing that plus the kit , you only save a few dollars over a brand new MC and I feel that is not good money spent. Nothing beats a new original part and that should last another 25 years. Brakes are the most important part of the car.
Steven

$85 for a rebuild kit? Are you sure? I paid less than a third of that last December for the Lucas green box from TRF.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

I am talking about north of the 49th and in our $$
Steven


Hi Steve!

Thanks again for the very generous offer. Car hobby is just another excuse to buy new tools. I could afford the $6. The retainer nut on the tipping valve finally came out, but not without a battle. I bought my Lucas kit ($65)from Fred M. and he gave me the same warnings about pitting etc. My cylinder is very very nice. I'm hoping that this kit will work. The MC replacement is roughly $400 so it would nice save a few bucks. Fred showed me a re-sleaved unit, it was $300 but came with a lifetime warrenty. The OHIO Buckeye site has a nice explanation of a rebuild with powdercoating etc. I think it should be a snap. (Ha ha Ha...who am I kidding with my luck!!)
Mati

This thread was discussed between 04/03/2003 and 07/03/2003

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