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Escort rear axle again - this time it's the brake cylinder
David Jenkins - 10/10/12 at 02:48 PM

Now that I've got the bearing ordered, I have to think about the brake cylinder on that side of the axle - it's showing signs that it's been weeping brake fluid, so it needs changing for safety's sake. Fortunately the brake shoes haven't been contaminated by oil or brake fluid.

The problem is - I don't know what model Escort my axle came from, so it's hard to order the right cylinder. I know it's almost certainly from a 1300cc Mk2, but that's as far as it goes.

Is that enough info to ensure that I buy the correct cylinder, or do I need to specify anything else?

(and before anyone says anything - it's only this side that's leaking, the other side is totally clean, so I don't think that I need to change both sides!)

Mr Whippy - 10/10/12 at 03:03 PM

photo's are best then someone can recognise the mk also get the drum size, shoe width etc, ford drove me bonkers with all their brake drum sizes

Alfa145 - 10/10/12 at 03:06 PM

As I found out a MK2 1300 axle could be an English, it could also be the Koln axle. As the above says, get some pics up for identification.

David Jenkins - 10/10/12 at 03:43 PM

I'm 99.99% sure it's an English axle.

Anyway - here are a few pictures (it's hard to take sensible pictures in-situ)

axle 1
axle 1
axle 2
axle 2
axle 3
axle 3

From what I've seen, the casing of this cylinder is fairly standard - it's just the bore & piston diameter that varies.

(I hate chasing parts for long-obsolete kit... )

Peteff - 10/10/12 at 05:26 PM

From what I've seen of the Ford axles they used the same slave cylinder from the Mk1 1100 Escort up to Mk5 Escort and the 2.0 Capri and Cortina using master cylinder changes to alter braking.

David Jenkins - 10/10/12 at 07:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
From what I've seen of the Ford axles they used the same slave cylinder from the Mk1 1100 Escort up to Mk5 Escort and the 2.0 Capri and Cortina using master cylinder changes to alter braking.


I think you're pretty much correct - I found an ebay supplier selling a pair of QH cylinders for a sensible price. The quoted cylinder diameter matches what I've got on the car already, so with any luck they'll be OK.

I might change both sides though, to ensure that I have a matching pair...

Thanks to everyone for the advice posted so far.

Alfa145 - 10/10/12 at 08:41 PM

Any chance of a link as I might be needing some in the next few weeks

David Jenkins - 10/10/12 at 09:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alfa145
Any chance of a link as I might be needing some in the next few weeks


This one:

FORD CAPRI ESCORT REAR BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER PAIR QH | eBay

They're a brand name, and others are selling just one cylinder for over £11 - this is for a pair. They quote a cylinder diameter of 17.8mm - the correct diameter is 17.78mm, which is one of the sizes listed in the Haynes manual and matches the one I want to replace.

I do suggest that you measure the diameter of your cylinder's piston before you buy!

Alfa145 - 10/10/12 at 09:16 PM

Thanks

Alfa145 - 12/10/12 at 08:59 PM

Good suggestion that I should measure the piston as mine is 17.4mm not 17.78 as for that listing.....hmmmmm

So would the 17.8mm ones be ok or do I need to splash out on the more expensive 17.4mm ones?

17.4mm one is £13.46 so nearly £27 for a pair......
Ford ESCORT 1.6 Mk2 Wheel Cylinder WC1697BE Rear Left 75-80 | eBay

David Jenkins - 12/10/12 at 09:04 PM

Don't quote me - but I don't see any problem if you change both at the same time so you get equal braking effort. Other more experienced people can give more knowledgeable advice... don't go on just my advice though!

BTW: That supplier I quoted was really quick - got my brake cylinders this morning, just 2 days after ordering. Looks like good kit.

Alfa145 - 13/10/12 at 10:21 PM

Cheers David. Any one else have an opinion on if it will be detrimental to change diameter?