Brake servo

[jeff jackson]

Hi All,
After spending all summer rebuliding the twincam and getting it running last weekend, I have yet another problem.

This is probably one for the purists, but I wondered if anyone has fitted a Lockheed remote servo to a Plus 2?
I ask because my Girling mkII B servo has begun to leak a small amount of brake fluid, enough to take a little bit of paint off the back of the unit. I was assured that when I bought the unit that it was probably the last new (not reconditioned unit) in the country. This was 13 or 14 years ago. I have looked around on line and I have been quoted ~~ 220 pounds for a recondition, half that for a service kit. Looking through the archives, there seems to be varying opinions as to the effectiveness of the rebuild kits. However, fleabay list Lockheed units for significantly less money than a Girling unit.

I was looking at the MG one on offer.

Any thoughts on this please?
Kind regards
Jeff 72+2

[vernon.taylor]

Hello Jeff

My previous Plus 2 had a Lockheed servo when I bought it and I replaced it with a copy from one of the MG vendors on eBay. Worked fine and was good value at around ?100.

I have a reconditioned Girling now - can't feel any difference in the pedal action.

Only thing I would say is that the Girling units are sought after - so either sell it to finance your Lockheed copy, or get it reconditioned to enhance the value of your car. I've also heard that doing it yourself is very possible - might be an idea to have a look inside before deciding. If it's full of corrosion you've reduced one of the options.

You can drive without the servo - the pedal is really heavy, of course.

@+

Vernon

P.S. 3:1 assistance

[Hawksfield]

Hi Jeff

If it is original it will have a continuous band around the can joint, you can get seal kits on ebay (?25) but they do not include the piston rubber diaphragm or a clamping band as was in the original Girling kit.

See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SP2625-B-NEW- ... 0809177966

Well worth the effort at the price

[robertverhey]

Hmm good find, and he does sell a more comprehensive 2B kit, which includes the diaphragm and other hardware but not the clamp ring. Prices seem more reasonable than other sellers.

A continuous clamp ring can be re-used, once cut you can fold out the last half inch of each end, drill a hole at each end to accept a long screw and nut, and it then acts like a big hose clamp, and becomes a serviceable part for future recons.

[alan]

i fitted a full repair kit on my mk2 girling and it works very well.
Please be very careful if you drive without a servo as you will have almost no brakes worth talking about

[billwill]

i fitted a full repair kit on my mk2 girling and it works very well.
Please be very careful if you drive without a servo as you will have almost no brakes worth talking about

Not true, many of us discarded the servo years ago. It takes a while to get used to applying a little more foot pressure, that's all.

However it is best to fit softer brake pads if you have no servo.

[bill308]

I thought only the SE's and +2's had a servo.

Can anyone recommend a rebuilder?

Bill

[theelanman]

http://classicbrake.co.uk/
these guys have always had a good reputation.....
don't know about cost

[alan]

bill,
let's just agree to differ.
imho if you discard the servo you need to change the dia of master cylinder. lotus did not fit a servo for nothing. fitting a servo = more cost and more weight.

[bill308]

Hi Allen,

I removed the servo and its associated brackets and tubing from my 1966 Elan S2 SE about 25 years ago, but made no other changes. Pedal effort increased, but I got used to it. Today, I would like to rebuild and refit the original servo or find a suitable replacement. Dave Bean's catalog recommends a 5-6 inch diameter vacuum canister giving a 2:1 boost for Elans and a 7 inch diameter vacuum canister giving a 3:1 boost for +2's.

Any recommendations for the 2:1 boost Elan application?

Bill

[alan]

i would think 2:1 for an elan or what i have done is to fit +2 calipers(16p) and disks to my elan sprint.
very happy with this setup

[billwill]

bill,
let's just agree to differ.
imho if you discard the servo you need to change the dia of master cylinder. lotus did not fit a servo for nothing. fitting a servo = more cost and more weight.

Unless you have actually driven an Elan without servo your arguement is all theory.

I've probably done at least 130,000 miles since I took my servo out and the other Bill say he did it 25 years ago.

How much heavier is a Plus 2 than a two-seater Elan?
Plus add weight of 2 kids small enough to fit in the back seats?

Possibly what you say in the way of smaller dia Master applies to a Plus 2 but it is not essential on a 2-seater.

[jeff jackson]

Hi All,
Thanks for the replies, my servo has a the continuous band. I did not need to cut it however, I just tapped it round until the cut outs lined up and then it popped apart. The diaphragm is in excellent condition, as it the plunger. I am wondering is a rebuild kit is the way to go.
As for the seal set suggested on ebay, These do not appear to have gaskets with this kit, I suspect I may have a dodgy non return valve too. So still unsure what to do.
Just so frustrating that after such a long time in the garage, (saving money for parts, the main reason), I am still no closer to getting back on the road.

Thanks again for the help.
Jeff

[alan]

jeff,
i think you could just replace the seals in the cylinder and there is a non return valve in the steel vacuum line attached to the bulkhead between the servo and the inlet takeoff

[Gordon Sauer]

Just as an aside, Sports car World, Dallas has a bag of new clamp rings Gordon Sauer