Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Technical advice Q&A

Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#1 Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:40 pm

hi All

Just wondering is the master cylinder push rod meant to be cut down ?
If I fit the new one I think the pedal will be very high ?
Also is this spring meant to go with it ?

Image
Thank you all in advance
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#2 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Wed Jun 12, 2019 3:09 pm

I should add that I cut down the one that’s on there to match the one before ( I know that does necessarily mean it was correct ) and it did not have a spring on before.
But the master cylinder seems to have failed again after less than a year ,and not returning very quickly was one of the symptoms.

Thanks again

Grant
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

AshM
Posts: 455
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:59 pm
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Great Britain

#3 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by AshM » Wed Jun 12, 2019 3:16 pm

Hi Grant

Mine is much closer to the length of the old one.

The spring looks like the one that sits within the pedal box to aid with pedal return.

Here are a couple of pictures that may help. Sorry they are such a mess - they are the ‘before’ pictures.

Cheers
Ash




Image

Image
Series 2 FHC 1970
1R 20607

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#4 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Wed Jun 12, 2019 3:37 pm

Hi Ash

That makes more sense now I have seen your spring ,
I'm gutted as mine is there but offering no resistance at all so I guess it's broken , obviously being upside down in the footwell is a very uncomfortable clostrophobic place to be ,
I presume
A )there should be some pressure on the pedal even though the master cylinder is not connected and
B)
You have to remove the whole brake and clutch pedal box to replace it ?

Grant
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


johnetype
Posts: 474
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:54 pm
Location: Worcestershire
Great Britain

#5 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by johnetype » Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:42 pm

You shouldn't "cut down" the pushrod but remove the boot and circlip underneath so you can release the pushrod and swap the original pushrod over to your new master cylinder.

You can buy just the pushrod from SNG Barrett for around £20 iirc and fit it to your new master cylinder if you want to be sure on length.
John

1969 Series 2 FHC

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#6 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:53 pm

Hi John

Do they do different lengths then ?
As you can see it already has a push rod on it , but you can only have it on the end otherwise the bit you have put through fouls the neck of the pedal ,
I hope that makes sense?

Thank you

Grant
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

AshM
Posts: 455
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:59 pm
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Great Britain

#7 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by AshM » Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:56 pm

Hi Grant

I think it would be a pretty difficult job to replace that spring without the pedal box on the bench.

Without any connection to master cylinders these internal springs will return the pedals back to their resting position.

If you need any other photos let me know - I have collated a lot over the last few months. What did we do before smartphones!

All the best.

Ash
Series 2 FHC 1970
1R 20607

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


1954Etype
Moderator
Posts: 2683
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:32 pm
Contact:
Great Britain

#8 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by 1954Etype » Wed Jun 12, 2019 8:11 pm

Don’t forget you can fit an external spring as a temporary measure. (Carb return?)
Angus 67 FHC 1E33656
61 OTS 875047

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#9 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Wed Jun 12, 2019 8:29 pm

Hi Ash and Angus ,

Well it’s been a long hard day but I’ve done it now , started off replacing the flexible clutch pipe hidden up under the carbs which was a pig to get to , and then had to take the pedal box off to fit the clutch return spring not the fun day of fitting my new Su carbs and 123 distributor that I had hoped for :-)
Still have to put the box back in and connect it all back up and bleed it all but I’m at work tomorrow so that will have to be tomorrow evening . ...

Thanks again for all your help everyone as you can see it’s my first time tackling most of this .

Regards

Grant
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

AshM
Posts: 455
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:59 pm
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Great Britain

#10 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by AshM » Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:15 am

Hey, it wouldn’t be fun if it was easy. 😂

But some satisfying achievements there Grant and every job you do you increase your knowledge of your car.

That’s what I love about working on mine. Every task gives me more knowledge, greater understanding and I can visualise how things go together and work.

Although I will never get anywhere near to the knowledge of one Mr Moss!

Good luck with the rest of it.

Cheers
Ash
Series 2 FHC 1970
1R 20607

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#11 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Thu Jun 13, 2019 6:22 pm

Hi Ash
Yes that's the fun part ! Grrrr

I'm just fitting the new master cylinder but if I do not shorten the push rid it makes the clutch pedal really high ?
Any thought s anyone should I soften it as per the orignal ?
Has anyone else had to do this ?
Image

Thanks

Grant
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8071
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#12 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by mgcjag » Thu Jun 13, 2019 6:41 pm

Hi Grant.....cant remember the exact details will have to research a bit...but a thick spacer was used on some cars in front of the master cylinder to space it forward......will try to look it up....do you have one.....Steve
Edit.....
Part number 11 here https://www.sngbarratt.com/uk/#!/Englis ... 0RESERVOIR
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

AshM
Posts: 455
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:59 pm
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Great Britain

#13 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by AshM » Thu Jun 13, 2019 7:39 pm

That’s a great call Steve!

Grant, do you have the spacer that sits between pedal box and clutch master cylinder.

Zoom in on my photo and you will see it.

Cheers
Ash
Image
Series 2 FHC 1970
1R 20607

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Grant
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:45 pm
Location: East Preston, W sussex
Great Britain

#14 Re: Clutch master cylinder push rod length

Post by Grant » Thu Jun 13, 2019 9:39 pm

Hi Steve and Ash

Yes I do have one of them it’s on, I’ve cut it now the same length as the old one , should get the fluid in it tomorrow after work , so will keep you posted.

Thanks again

Grant w
Series 2 OTS LHD

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic