I have an internal leak, and need to replace my master brake cylinder (86 sovereign, xj6). Does anyone know if this is a job that handy, non-professional mechanic can handle? I've never done this before. Need any specialized tools, etc?

 

myself I've never done it other than flush and renew the fluid. I bet there's a lot of disassembly but it can be done. You can get a good used assembly from Motorcars Ltd.

( http://www.motorcars-ltd.com or http://www.motorcarsltd.com).

I would have the Factory Service Manual too. ( http://www.lbcarco.com )


Jose

 

Just did my 85 XJ-6 a few weeks ago. Replaced with a rebuilt unit, so I didn't go inside the unit. I've done this before on other cars, and was surprised at how easy it was. The new one came with a little round, thick gasket with no explaination. I soon found out that it was used to seal the reservoir to the brake cylinder. Took, maybe an hour, start to finish. You doYn't even have to be very handy to preform this repair. The hardest part of the whole repair is bleeding the brake lines, but, then again, thats just time consuming, not hard. Get your hands dirty, just part of the learning process on these cars. Regards. Keith

 

Sorry, forgot about tools, just a couple of wrenches, nothing special, everything within easy reach. Bleeding brake lines a little more difficult, need, but not totally necessary, brake wrenches, but a small normal wrench will work.

 

Thanks Jose and Keith -- I'll give it shot. Keith....where did you buy the rebuilt unit? I'll probably check out 'motorcarsltd', but it doesn't hurt to shop around.

 

I bought it off ebay, quite some time ago, just in case. Turned out to be a good one, but have since decided to confine my parts to parts suppliers. Most of my parts come from Coventry West. Good prices, and very knowledgable on the older cars. Their are hundreds of parts houses on the internet, and easy to compare prices. I like Coventry because thats all ( I think) that they do, is Jaguars. Their parts catalog online seems a little hard to use, but a simple call to them, and they are most helpful.

 

I ended up ordering one from Ken's crew (motorcarsltd) - part should be here soon. If I get stuck, I may chime back in for some advice. we'll see how it goes. thanks

 

The Coventry boys are good guys. They are like us, they do Land Rover, too. Ray is probably one of the most knowledgable guys in the industry. I have nothing bad to say about them.

 

Ken, I agree, Coventry West is good. I haven't purchased anything from Motorcars Ltd yet, but since your on this list, and I'm pretty new here, I'll give it a try next time I need parts. It always helps to have someone on the list for advice and parts. Keith.

 

I appreciate the oppertunity!

 

the master cylinder was a perfect fit, and an easy enough project - braking like new. thanks again ken, jose, keith.