hydraulic fluid reservoirs inside the car

[grahamb]

I've seen all sorts of installs over the years. I run mine in the engine bay, but often wondered how come some are inside the cockpit.

What's the exact ruling, and are there exceptions?

[windy]

I've just fitted a hydraulic handbrake to my new Escort and the reservoir has to be in the boot behind a firewall out of the cockpit. Looked into fitting an integral reservoir type master cylinder next to the handbrake but scrutineer said no.

[minitici]

Originally Posted by windy

I've just fitted a hydraulic handbrake to my new Escort and the reservoir has to be in the boot behind a firewall out of the cockpit. Looked into fitting an integral reservoir type master cylinder next to the handbrake but scrutineer said no.

Have you got separate calipers for the hydraulic rear handbrakes?
Otherwise I don't see how a master cylinder with a separate reservoir feed would work.

Normally with hydraulic handbrakes, which share the normal rear brake calipers, you insert the handbrake master cylinder with the feed coming from the rear brake master cylinder and the output now being the feed to the rear calipers.

When the handbrake is off the fluid from the foot brake goes straight through the handbrake master cylinder.

[MaxRPM]

Hydraulic fluid is pretty flammable just for info.

[temevalleyterrapin]

easily proven by pouring all over a roadkill badger....and whooof.....flambe' roadside snack.

[Radical]

Didn't know Badger went Woof...

[Bernard]

Badger noises yes! But Woof??? Some Badger!!

[redturner37]

Originally Posted by Bernard

Badger noises yes! But Woof??? Some Badger!!

I heard some scarey stories about the people and animals that inhabit that part of the country. Best stay in doors after dark.....

[windy]

Originally Posted by minitici

Have you got separate calipers for the hydraulic rear handbrakes?
Otherwise I don't see how a master cylinder with a separate reservoir feed would work.

Normally with hydraulic handbrakes, which share the normal rear brake calipers, you insert the handbrake master cylinder with the feed coming from the rear brake master cylinder and the output now being the feed to the rear calipers.

When the handbrake is off the fluid from the foot brake goes straight through the handbrake master cylinder.

Yes I have 4 calipers on the rear axle and the handbrake is on a seperate circuit to the footbrake.

[Bernard]

Originally Posted by windy

I've just fitted a hydraulic handbrake to my new Escort and the reservoir has to be in the boot behind a firewall out of the cockpit. Looked into fitting an integral reservoir type master cylinder next to the handbrake but scrutineer said no.

My old barge used to have all 3 master cylinders in the cockpit, originally contained by a Tupperware box of all things! This passed Scrutes and was eventually replaced by an ally compartment with a clear perspex section to make levels visible.