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help replacing 308 Master cylinder

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by chrismorse, Apr 8, 2007.

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  1. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
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    chris morse
    #1 chrismorse, Apr 8, 2007
    Evening Gents,

    Can the 308 master cylinder be removed without having to pull the booster too??

    I am in the process of doing a really big brake upgrade and am trying to fit a 1 - 1/16 Willwood unit.

    Thanks,
    chris
     
  2. walawdog

    walawdog Formula Junior

    Nov 9, 2004
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    #2 walawdog, Apr 8, 2007
    I think you can, but "they" advise against it. Getting the whole unit out is a pain in the rear.
     
  3. rizzo308

    rizzo308 F1 Rookie
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    #3 rizzo308, Apr 9, 2007
    GOOD LUCK MATE!!!!!
     
  4. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

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    #4 greg328, Apr 9, 2007
    I did it, it's easy. Just 4 bolts. You have to move the drier and assoc. hoses out of the way first.

    You do NOT have to buy a new booster too. That's crazy. They are 2 separate parts.

    Make sure and use the right kind of wrench, I forget the name, but they're specially made to not strip a brake fitting. Somebody else chime in here?

    Good luck,
    Greg
     
  5. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #5 Darolls, Apr 9, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Are you speaking of a line wrench?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  6. walawdog

    walawdog Formula Junior

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    #6 walawdog, Apr 9, 2007
    Easy? I guess pulling just the MC and not the booster would be...I guess. But everything I read said do not separate the two. Something about tolerances when you go to reassemble.
     
  7. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

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    #7 chrismorse, Apr 9, 2007
    I am removing the MC so i can install a bigger, Wilwood unit. The piston area of the bigger front and rear calipers necessitates a bigger diameter MC.

    I pulled the front vinyl cover and undid the lines with a tubing wrench. It looks really tight, trying to get out just the master cylinder - is it even possible?? I have yet to try assembling 1/4 inch extensions, svivvles and sockets and am not sure about the relatioship between the mc and the booster - don't want to F#*K any bits and pieces.

    Mired in ignorance,
    chris
     
  8. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
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    #8 tatcat, Apr 10, 2007
    just did a search and came up with quite a bit of info. type in brake booster.
     
  9. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

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    #9 greg328, Apr 10, 2007
    If I can do it, anybody can do it. Yes, that pic of the line wrench is what I was talking about. I just remembered another name for it--flare wrench.

    All you have to do is loosen the drier bracket so you'll be able to move the hoses aside. I did this 6 months ago so my memory is a bit hazy on the details. I also moved the windshield wiper fluid hoses.

    I also needed a larger-diameter MC to cope with my large Wilwood Superlight calipers. Chris Morse, I checked into Wilwood MCs, didn't think they had a 308 match. What did you end up going with? I found mine on Ebay, from Italy. It was a 25mm, versus 23mm stock. Made for the 308, same style, just a bit fatter. My brakes are great now, stock pedal throw, just much more brake torque than stock (and my braking system weighs 50% of the stock system!)

    Concerning MC/booster relationship, it's no big deal to separate the 2. The booster has a piston that inserts into the female MC piston opening. That's it--no wet seal or anything between the two devices. When you press the brake pedal, it forces the booster piston into the MC, forcing fluid pressure into the calipers. The only precaution I would issue is: Don't twist the booster piston, you'll change the length of it (it telescopes, as I recall)

    Clearance for small tools in there is no problem. Plus, I have big hands...

    The email of the guy in Italy who I bought my MC from:

    [email protected]

    Good luck,
    Greg
    1977 308 GTB USA
     
  10. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

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    #10 chrismorse, Apr 10, 2007
    Hi Greg,

    The wilwood unit is 27mm and set up for a "standard" 2 bolt mount, so i will have to have a slim steel adaptor plate made. The machinist i've got working on the 360 ebrake mounts is doing beautiful work with his cnc machine.

    Thanks guys for the advice.

    chris
     

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