Brake fluid leak between servo & master cylinder - need new servo?

anewman

Got a brake fluid leak between the vacuum servo and master cylinder. No doubt I bust the seals when bleeding the brakes nearly 2 months ago for the MOT. Car is a Skoda Favorit 1994 - no ABS or anything fancy like that.

It has been suggested that the fluid may well have leaked into the servo and as a result this will need replacing too. I was wondering if it was usual practice to replace the servo as well as the master cylinder in cases like this?

The master cylinder is only £30 delivered for the part, but I imagine the price of a new servo will be quite high, so would probably be my first trip to the scrap yards.

Thanks in advance.

goldspanners

a servo will usually be more expensive than a master cylinder,try a new master cylinder and clean out the servo first.

anewman

Hopefully I can do the job without killing someone :eek: - it all does look very simple mechanically, pedal -> linkage -> servo input rod -> servo output rod -> master cylinder. Busting the mc seals the first time I worked on the brakes doesn't instil self-confidence though And still not sure if my steering rack replacement was successful as don't want to drive with leaky brakes.

goldspanners

if the new master cylinder comes without the end that connects to the pedal then measure the amount of threads on the old one before removing it,this can be vital to the brake set up.(if its this kind of course)

cyclonebri1

Hi, you are right in your thoughts of a trip to the breakers. Well at least thats what I should do.

Imho get a complete master cylinder/servo assembly and do not try to re-seal the original, its a 50/50 bet if the bores corroded when it's leaking anyway.

And you're right, the fluid if its got into the servo, and thats what usually happens, is quite likely to affect the diaphragm etc as it should remain dry.

Also if you get the complete assembly there should be no need to adjust the pushrod, just a straight forward bleeding operation;)

anewman

According to Haynes, on my year of car only adjustment is at the back of the servo which is accessible with everything in place.

Thanks guys. I think I'll get myself a brand new master cylinder as the seals will all be new then, and depending on cost of vacuum servo most likely a scrappy one. Think I need a turkey baster too :rolleyes: