Era brakes Upgrade

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by DanEC

It sounds like the BMW reservoir has 3 sections in it so it functions the same as having the 3 separate Girling cans. That just reinforces that performance or reliability wise - there isn't any advantage with separate reservoirs. I have the 3 cans just for period appearance. Otherwise - I don't think they are worth the effort.

As far as backfeeding to the reservoir when the pedal is released - I think the answer is kind of, but in a proper functioning and tight system what goes back to the reservoir is virtually nothing if anything. The master cylinders I've worked on have a compensating port that releases any pressure in the system as the pedal is released to ensure the brakes don't stay applied. That means a small shot of fluid could go to the reservoir if the rotors kick back the pads due to runout or something. Or if a caliper piston seal has a slight leak, it also allow the master cylinder to fill from the reservoir to compensate for it.

And now I'm dangerously close to exhausting my understanding of hydraulic systems.

LOL
Yes, except for the clutch. With your system (3 cans) you could lose all you brake fluid and still have all your clutch fluid.
As far as releasing the pedal., I was talking about the clutch, not the brake. I do understand what you are saying about the brake returning a little fluid.
My question was, do you think that if you lost your clutch fluid because of a brake line leak in the single reservoir system, would you have enough in the clutch master to shift the car for a while? If it was to return some fluid to the reservoir every time you released the pedal, you would be screwed.
Dave