Replacement Parts

[Ashley James]

I've just completed a 1700 mile trip around France in my Bristol 400 that I've spent 3 years totally rebuilding. To avoid brake problems I've bought and fitted a new Lockheed Delphi Master Cylinder. The brakes have failed four times now! I've rebuilt the master cylinder once to discover the genuine Lockheed replacement seals don't fit the genuine Lockheed Cylinder and I've returned a new Servo in the belief that it may have accounted for fluid loss.

I thought I'd fixed them but was never happy with the way the pedal feels. I noticed before I left that the level was low and topped it up, but by the time I arrived in SW Brittany, it was going to the floor and I'd almost lost any stopping power. I checked the level again to find that there was almost no fluid left, so I bought more, topped it up again and remarkably the pedal returned, so I spent the rest of the trip regularly topping up the reservoir.

Brian May was with us and had customers return these cylinders as faulty. Past Parts are the leading specialist re-sleevers and repairers and they explained they may not be able to repair them and that they were aware of the problem. I subsequently discovered that several trade people have had problems and told Lockheed as long ago as 2004! They are made for Lockheed by LPR in Italy.

The main issue is that there is no baffle in the lid to stop fluid going straight out of the breather - hence emptying the reservoir, but proper Lockheed lids won't fit because the thread is metric.

I've had to buy another Master Cylinder that I'm promised is an exact copy of the original and made by TRW.

Lockheed Delphi are ghastly and their technical department can't even look up the master cylinder number, that must be done by the stockist.

I've had other problems with the quality of new parts but this is the most serious and the one which has most angered me.

If anyone has master cylinder issues I'd recommend having the original re-sleeved by a specialist and avoiding new ones like the plague.

Ashley

[UK6]

Hello Ashley,
Given that the master cylinder in question is new and that
there appears to be a design fault with this important component, then I am
amazed that the manufacturer has not notified purchasers or attempted to
recall/rectify the situation. The salient question is of course, who else is
running the risk of brake failure because of this believed sub standard
component?

Out of interest, what is the specified brake fluid for your rebuilt circuit?
I believe that there are major problems wrought from mixing different DOT
numbered fluid.

Regards,

Brett

[Ashley James]

Brett

I've just received a new TRW labelled Lucas that appears to be exactly
as claimed by the vendor and a copy of the original. I agree with you
and will take steps when I get back from China to alert a Government
Dept that deals with safety issues like this. I'm not as amazed as you
because I believe we live in a world of useless incompetents with the
occasional exception. It is as though people are too tired to do
anything properly.

This master cylinder (but with different bore sizes) fit loads of cars
from Morris Minors to the V8 Bristols, so the issue is a serious one.

I've used standard Dot 4 fluid.

Ash

[Rubbond]

A very valid point. If the rubber seals don't fit, that clearly indicates
modifications. Watch out you don't have seals in your wheel cylinders that
are designed for a different brake fluid from the seals in the replacement
master cylinder! I think a letter to Lockheed would be appropriate.
Andrew.

[Ashley James]

I've been speaking to Lockheed and have been promised action but one
specialist I spoke to says he's been telling them since 2004!

In the UK the leading specialist restorer of all these parts is Past
Parts Ltd and they re-sleeve with stainless steel and fit the correct
new seals. They can't do these Italian things though.

I bought the TRW part from www.powertrackbrakes.co.uk who seem on the
ball and extremely helpful as are Past Parts.

Ashley

[Billy]

I have recently acquired Bristol 400 chassis no. 371 and whilst the car is in nice origional condition with what seems to be an origional recorded mileage of 65 odd thousand the steering wheel suffers from the normal vagaries of a cracked rim and a coroded center. Ideally I would like to acquire a wheel in good condition which blends in with the origional interior. If I'm "dreaming" (apologies to "The Castle") then has anyone acquired a replica wheel fom Myrtle Products?

cheers, Billy

[Ashley James]

Billy

If you're in the UK then Myrtle Productions in Dover can restore it
for you and in Oz, Pearlcraft are more expensive by nice to deal with,
so you could contact them.

Ashley

[ashley hinton]

Hi I make some parts for the Bristol cars Like the heater Blower unit, Heater water valve, heater cables, heater duct, heater duct rubber elbows, dash knobs,
Heater air intake valves, heater outlet doors
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashle...847505?fref=ts

Lots of photos on my face book page of some of the 6000 + parts I make for old cars

Regards Ashley Hinton