Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Raymond on December 13, 2015, 14:33:32

Title: Brake reservoir float
Post by: Raymond on December 13, 2015, 14:33:32

I've just been cleaning out my brake fluid reservoir and on one of the level sensor floats the rubber stopper that holds the float onto the brass rod has perished.  How can I achieve a permanent repair?  Is there a replacement sensor or float?  Failing that, I've thought about epoxy to replace the rubber.  Keeping in mind that this is bathed in brake fluid forever, does that seem feasible?  Other suggestions?

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: rutger kohler on December 13, 2015, 18:27:05

Hi, if you can't fix it Santa is rumoured to be bringing me a new brake reservoir for Xmas. If you wanted to pay say $US20 plus postage from NZ you can have the whole old brake reservoir with the two floats in it.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: badali on December 13, 2015, 23:54:26

Try a piece of rubber hose that fits around the pin and snuggly in the float.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: Shvegel on December 15, 2015, 04:15:17

Rutger,
Generally new reservoirs don't come with the level switches.  You might want to hold off giving yours away.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: Raymond on December 16, 2015, 22:59:44

I've simply removed the float and post from one of the chambers temporarily.  I regularly check for leaks and fluid levels so it's not like I'll ever need it.  Meanwhile, Rutger already has his new one an it did come with new float switches.  Sometime after Christmas, we'll have two happy brake systems.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: Tyler S on January 02, 2016, 18:45:14

There's currently one listed on e-bay for $60 or you can try Vintage Euro parts. They have the whole float assembly for $25 bucks!
http://www.vintageeuroparts.com/100724.html (http://www.vintageeuroparts.com/100724.html)

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: Jordan on April 05, 2016, 14:23:24

Does anyone know where to get the o-rings for the reservoir?  This would be the one under the cap and the one wrapped around the body of the sensor (see picture in first post). 

After Wallaces talk at PUB last year I know the importance of getting o-rings suitable for the fluid they will be in contact with, in this case brake fluid.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: wwheeler on April 05, 2016, 20:07:40

Nice to know the program was helpful. Good call to be cautious as the standard O-ring material (Nitrile) found in a hardware store would not last long. You would want use EP rubber https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_propylene_rubber

or SBR https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene-butadiene

But normally if it is specified for use in brake fluid, you should be OK.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: Jordan on April 05, 2016, 22:10:49

Thanks Wallace.  Too bad the EP O-rings cannot, or should not, be used for fuel purposes.  I checked with Vintage Euro Parts and they only sell the entire sensor, not the O-rings separately.

Title: Re: Brake reservoir float
Post by: wwheeler on April 06, 2016, 01:50:04

If you can determine the size, you can buy what you need from Mcamaster. http://www.mcmaster.com/#o-rings/=11uuopq

Recommended materials for Brake fluid (Glycol) that they carry are EPDM, Kalrez with Aflas being almost as good. Just check the material you want in the upper left, and you got it.