master cylinder advice needed

[achtungeveryone]

I had a small leak in my master cylinder that i would top up every now and then, but i noticed it all quickly leaked out the other day. So i'm trying to decide between a chinese M.C or the trw M.C. which is 70% more at bpnorthwest. anyone had good or bad with the chinese unit?
Also, i may have to bleed this myself (without help) and have never, i'm embarrased to say, bled a brake system...atleast properly. I noticed a post from a search where you ingenious fellows put a tire valve on an old cap and pressurized with a few lbs. from a bike pump or whatever. i'm wondering if i should try this method or get one of those one man bleeder kits? ideas? help.

 

[70herald]

Before you buy a new MC, take the old one out, and disassemble it. If the bore is not damaged, all you need is a rebuild kit and you are ready to go.

 

[wingsandwheels]

Another option is a rebuild by Apple Hydraulics, White Post or others. I've use AH for my cars and am happy w/ them. I had one minor issue (rebuilt TR6 brake master that I installed than immediately put the car away for winter..not the smartest move...it started weeeping slightly the next season, probably not their fault) and they stood behind their work despite my possibly contributing to the problem. In the meantime I bought a new TRW unit and am running it now, as well as a new TRW clutch slave.

Buying this or most new critical components, TRW or equivalent is my clear choice. They are a large, multi-national Tier 1 supplier. Not intending to start a bashing/flame war and stating that the Chinese (and other BRIC+ emerging economies) are fully capable of producing world class products, there is a certain risk there, especially with a no name, house brand or 'white box' product. Of course, a Chinese made product by one of the majors, such as a TRW w/ their quality controls, processes, reputation, etc., would be a different story.

Good luck.

w

 

[Brosky]

I don't know where you are, but there are several very good rebuilders who will re-sleeve yours and make it better than new. Apple Hydraulics comes to mind, but there are many others from the midwest to the east coast.

 

[PeterK]

Depends on who you trust with your brakes. Based on my personal experience with other repros from the region, I would not want critical system parts, especially brakes be reproduced for the lowest bidder. I just returned a Classic Gold m/c for my TR3 because of the weakly made internal parts.

Get yours rebuilt by a skilled rebuilder if you can. Apple is good, Whitepost too.

 

[Guest]

VB is crap. I'd go AH

 

[achtungeveryone]

interesting, i wasn't even thinking AH rebuild but since you guys are giving them the thumbs up, i might just call them.

 

[Brosky]

Whitepost is the name that I couldn't remember earlier. Thanks for posting that.