Series 2a issues...where to start

[philchan1974]

New to me Series 2a (but not to LRs)

couple of immediate things need sorting...anyone have some ideas I can look for?

1) Brake peddle is hard - doesn't depress. Thinking this are issues with the brake lines (clogged) or the master cylinder in the peddle box.
2) Clutch sinks all the way to the floor. Master cylinder/slave cylinder. Leak in line. No fluid etc.

Generally - these are the the go to things on the checklist - would I be correct?

Any other thoughts I can add to the check list?

[rgallant]

Clutch -

• start with master cylinder and lines
  do you have fluid and is it at the full mark
  If so pump the clutch pedal does it firm up at all, if not master cylinder if it does a bit likely master cylinder but check for leaks 1st.
  I have found the simplest leak check is paper towel or newspaper under dry lines then fill up the cylinder and pump a couple times that should find the leak.
  Generally leaks are at unions rather than lines but lines can crack.
  If there are no leaks is most likely master cylinder

Brakes a hard pedal is usually a brake booster, if you do a search in Google for brake booster testing there are simple step by steps to confirm

I will note last time I had a serious hydraulic clutch issue was in an old Cortina 45 year ago, but I use the same method if I think I have a brake line issue

[Colin]

Could be the Brake master cylinder is seized, can you crack open the line on top of it and see it that allows it to push brake fluid out of it? Then you know if the problem is the master cylinder or not. For the clutch check you have fluid, if you don't you either have leak in the line or a faulty slave cylinder. They are pretty cheap and easy to replace. I use Stainless steel fasteners to hold mine, making it very easy to undo.

[philchan1974]

Thanks...confirms what I thought. Great input.

Richard - if you want to come up and see my new addition feel free.

Phil.

[Rob]

I think Colin is giving you good advice about the brake MC being seized. Another thing to look at, if the rover has been sitting for quite awhile, is that the brake pedal could be seized from corrosion as well. I have dealt with this from a long stationary rover and the best solution I found was to pull the brake pedal tower as a unit, dissemble and remove the rust from the pedal mechanism, refill the oil reservoir in the pedal housing, install a new brake MC (pretty inexpensive) and then reinstall the whole unit. At least you know that part of the system is in good shape.

Hope you have some success figuring this out. Regards, Rob

[harv]

Clutch could need a simple bleed. You might get away with gravity bleed. The way I bleed my S2 brakes and clutch is to regulate my air compressor to about 5-8 psi, open the applicable bleeder, and put the air on the reservoir vent hole for some seconds, forcing the fluid out the bleeder. To put the air on the vent hole, I have a piece of rubber hose slipped over the end of my air blaster. Ensure the reservoir doesn't go empty. Until I used this method to bleed brakes, I had a terrible time getting the air out of the system.
For the brake, I had this same problem years ago after rebuilding my master cylinder. I don't remember exactly the adjustment, but it was an adjustment nut that I had set a bit too tight, not allowing the pedal to fully retract. Unless yours has been modded, their won't be a booster.

[Colin]

If you give us your location, perhaps someone might be able to swing by and give you some advice. Most people here will do that for a beer :)

[philchan1974]

Good to know! Am in Mission :)