This tutorial is also available in French
➔
Rear wheel cylinders refurbishment on Austin Mini
Vehicle ➔ Mini 1000 am1991 automatic gearbox
Difficulty ➔ Medium
Time ➔ 1 hour
Summary
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The selling price of a new wheel cylinder is not much higher than the price of the seal kit for renovation. Carefully analyze the cylinders before placing your order. If in doubt (oxidation, scratches, defect) order new wheel cylinders.
We conducted a survey on Facebook regarding the renovation of wheel cylinders when changing brake shoes:
• 87% of voters systematically replace wheel cylinders with new ones.
• 13% of voters renovate wheel cylinders with seal kits.
• 87% of voters systematically replace wheel cylinders with new ones.
• 13% of voters renovate wheel cylinders with seal kits.
Renovating a wheel cylinder is not a complicated operation. Just be careful and meticulous to get a good result.
Required Tools
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Packaging :
•
GRK2014: The wheel cylinder repair kit is for 1 cylinder only. So you need 2 for a Mini.
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Disassemble the wheel cylinder
Op 01
Remove the drum and rear brake shoes (➔ see the tutorial ''Replacing rear brake shoes'' Op 01 to 17).
Op 02
Remove the rear wheel cylinder (➔ see the tutorial ''Replacing rear brake shoes'' Op 18 to 22).
Op 03
Remove the 2 dust covers. Pull by hand.
Op 04
Remove the 2 pistons. Pull by hand.
Op 05
Remove the 2 oil seals. Use a small flathead screwdriver.
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Reassemble the wheel cylinder
Op 06
Thoroughly clean the wheel cylinder body and the 2 pistons. Use brake cleaner.
Check that there is no oxidation or scratches inside the wheel cylinder. If in doubt, fit a new wheel cylinder.
Op 07
Lubricate the pistons and seals. Use brake fluid.
Fit the seals on the 2 pistons. Place them by hand.
Do not use any tools to position a seal on its piston. You could damage the lip.
Orient the lip towards the rounded end of the piston. This is the side that will go into the wheel cylinder (3rd photo).
The seal is narrower than the groove in which it is positioned (3rd photo). This is normal. The lip will then be able to get into position when it is in the wheel cylinder.
Op 08
Lubricate the inside of the wheel cylinder. Use brake fluid.
Engage the 2 pistons in the wheel cylinder. Push by hand.
No tools are needed for this operation. Simply present the piston well in line and it will enter without forcing. The conical part at the cylinder inlet guides the seal lip which finds its place smoothly.
Brake fluid is extremely aggressive with paint. As soon as the 2 pistons are in place, immediately wipe off any traces of brake fluid on the wheel cylinder.
Op 09
Fit the 2 dust covers. Place them by hand:
•
Engage the outside of the dust cover in the wheel cylinder groove (2nd photo).
•
Engage the inside of the dust cover in the piston groove (3rd photo).
The dust covers are put on by hand. It's not super easy but it can be done.
Op 10
Reassemble the rear wheel cylinder (➔ see the tutorial ''Replacing rear brake shoes'' Op 25 to 30).
Op 11
Reassemble the rear brake shoes and the drum (➔ see the tutorial ''Replacing rear brake shoes'' Op 31 to 42).
Op 12
Bleed the brake system (➔ see the tutorial ''Bleeding the brake system'').
The End
