Sportster Brake Master Cylinder

[Mike]

Hi Nigel

This is interesting as my Sierra Brake Master Cylinder bought at the same time as yours has also failed.
And like you I searched far and wide to find a direct replacement without success.
I have bought a repair kit containing several seals and hope this solves the problem.

Interestingly Peter Edwards managed to find a replacement being offered on eBay -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334299608631

[Nigbo]

Mike
yes I had discovered that one , was a bit wary because the photo did not look too much like the original Cifam model, but maybe its just a generic photo . Anyway I don't fancy the master cylinder rebuild route and have taken the plunge and brought the ebay. I will let you know how I get on. It's concerning the otherwise across the board unavailability.
I am concerned about the failure, it was leaking brake fluid back into the booster, hope its not going cause any issues with the booster.

Nigel

[Grey V8 Pete]

I will be interested to hear your feedback. It’s a job that’s on my preventative maintenance list too and I also found the OE 22mm bore master cylinders are out of stock everywhere. I suspect that for those alternative parts the brake pipes may need re routing as the side bosses could be facing the outside of the car. Not a major problem, just a bit of extra work. Also worth checking that the bolt holes in the mounting flange are the same pitch or you will need to modify something there. Finally worth checking that the depth of the rear piston hole ( relative to the flange face) is the same as your existing one, to ensure that the servo plunger has the correct clearance to work correctly. Peter.

[Mitchelkitman]

I suspect the new Sierra master cylinders from kit parts (featured above) are likely to have m10 connectors for the pipes, and it's worth checking with kit spares to ascertain the bore size.
It's worth looking for alternatives which are readily available - with a bit of research I was able to replace an escort mk2 servo (on a Rickman Ranger) with an alternative used on LR Defender. Minor changes I made to the Escort pushrod meant the job took just an afternoon. Cost of servo was 63 pounds 4 years ago. OEM manufacturers won't change parts when they sell them to different manufacturers unless it's absolutely necessary (cost) so the only change may be a part number!

[Nigbo]

So I received the Ebay Borg & Beck master cylinder which I was unsure about due to the photo not looking like the Cifam model. However holding the two against each other it appears to all intents identical, although I have yet to check the piston arrangement. One small bonus is that based on its very light weight it must be made from aluminium rather than steel. Will let you know if it fits next week !!

[Grey V8 Pete]

Originally Posted by Nigbo

So I received the Ebay Borg & Beck master cylinder which I was unsure about due to the photo not looking like the Cifam model. However holding the two against each other it appears to all intents identical, although I have yet to check the piston arrangement. One small bonus is that based on its very light weight it must be made from aluminium rather than steel. Will let you know if it fits next week !!

Hi Nigel. Have you done any checks yet? Photos of both old and new would be useful when you have time. Peter.

[Mike]

Hi Peter
I bought the same one - it is a direct replacement: albeit a generic body which allows the ports to be LHD or RHD - obviously these are for RHD.
I bought one in case my original can not be resurrected with a new seal kit.

Regards
Mike

[Grey V8 Pete]

Originally Posted by Nigbo

So I received the Ebay Borg & Beck master cylinder which I was unsure about due to the photo not looking like the Cifam model. However holding the two against each other it appears to all intents identical, although I have yet to check the piston arrangement. One small bonus is that based on its very light weight it must be made from aluminium rather than steel. Will let you know if it fits next week !!

Hi Nigel. Did you ever fit this master cylinder? If yes, what were your conclusions? Mine is still sitting in its box until another project (on another car) is completed! Peter.

[peterux]

Sorry to slightly hijack this thread but it is related......

With the surprise that the, once common, Ford Sierra Brake Master cylinders are now so difficult to find has got me wondering what other Sierra parts are now difficult to find.

Has anyone found any other parts are now in short supply?

cheers, Peter

[Grey V8 Pete]

Originally Posted by Nigbo

So I received the Ebay Borg & Beck master cylinder which I was unsure about due to the photo not looking like the Cifam model. However holding the two against each other it appears to all intents identical, although I have yet to check the piston arrangement. One small bonus is that based on its very light weight it must be made from aluminium rather than steel. Will let you know if it fits next week !!

Hi Nigel.
Did you fit the master cylinder? Was it ok? Peter.

[Mike]

Quick update for anyone following this thread.

I have fitted and bled the new generic master cylinder and feel the brakes are the best they have ever been in terms of pedal height, and performance.
Sailed through its MOT.

The only issue I could foresee for others is the dummy outlets on the offside could foul the bonnet of earlier Cabrio, which have a parallel faced pedal box (to the bulkhead). Some later Cabrios - mine was the last made - had an angled face, providing greater clearance between the end of the master cylinder and the bonnet inside.
I would suggest even if fouling proves to be an issue, the dummy offside outlet bulge could be ground off, as it is only there to allow one common casting to be machined as either RHD, or LHD.

Has anyone else fitted the new one yet?

Regards
Mike

Originally Posted by Grey V8 Pete

Hi Nigel.
Did you fit the master cylinder? Was it ok? Peter.