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[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear alfistas,

I ´ve noticed that sometimes when slowing down towards a set of traffic lights, that my brake pedal becomes a bit soft and travels longer to what it does otherwise, meaning that if I press the pedal quickly or for an emergency stop, the pedal stays nice and firm.

The car is going in for servicing soon and a brief word with my mechanic mentioned that we need to check the master cylinder. As I am trying to keep the budget marker low and avoid getting parts that I do not need at present what do you all think about my problem?

What is the price for a used master brake cylinder and how fidly is to change it?

Thanks all for your time!!!

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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi,

Let me clear a thing.

Does the pedal fell soft when braking for the first time or does it become hard and firm after pressing the pedal 2-3 times ?

If this is the case then the inner rubber rings of the brake master cylinder are wearing out and brake fliud pressure is getting past the rings resulting in loss of braking efficiency.

I wouldn't use a second hand cylinder as it may be in worse state than yours and it is not that expensive for a new one. I had it replaced 4 years ago on my own and it cost me 60€ for a Bendix one.

There is an option to get a repair kit to overhaul the original one. However I was so dissapointed when I opened the original one by finding inside loads of black deposits and rust like particles ... I gave back the repair kit and bought a new brake cylinder.

Also keep in mind that brake cylinder is of major importance in the car functionality so don't mess around with used and unknown state parts.

Hope this helps.
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Hi again,

Yes I beleieve thats the scenario you just mentioned. Presing the pedal once or twice after the soft pedal develops the brakes behave as they should do. Of course under no any circumstances I lost any of the cars braking ability. It is just the pedal that it behaves strangely.

I will see into it and decide what is the best way to fix it. I ´ve seen my mechanic repairing a master cylinder before. There are some rubber flanges inside the cylinder. Changing those might treat my problem to.

Thanks again for your time!
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[Scott Sander]

First up I would change the brake fluid, check that the pads and discs are still in good working order, there are no leaks in the pipes before changing the master cylinder.
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Scott Sander
'91 Alfa 33 Boxer 16V Monza - Awesome
http://www.sanderfamily.com