There's been a small leakage of brake oil from nearside rear of my bus. Preliminary look by mechanic suggests it may need new brake cylinder. I'm taking it in for a more thorough inspection in the next few days (where they'll be able to get underneath) but if anyone has experienced similar problems I'd be grateful for advice. Is the Lockheed cylinder one complete part? How much roughly does it cost? Are any of the suppliers in the list better than others? Thanks, Sam

Sam ,

If you are experiencing leaks from the brake cylinders it likely you'll need to replace this one . IMPERIAL ENGIEERING have available whats called a UNIVERSAL brake cylinder which fits all RM bus wheels -- one per wheel NOT per bus in case it read wrongly -- . THE ORIGINAL TYPE ARE NOT MADE ANY MORE but it would seem from enquiries that maybe 'repair kits of seals ' etc maybe available .

We are on the case for this , but above will sort you out anyway.

Sam

I purchased a spare Brake Cylinder from Imperial in April 2008, it was £182.31 plus Vat plus carriage making a total of £228.31.

Ed

Seals on my brake cylinder went about 2 years back and I too got replacement from Imperial Engineering. I did ask whether they had a refurbishment kit to just replace the seals, but the way that the unit is assembled means that it's not easy to dismantle and re-assemble.

Removal of the old cylinder and replacing with the new one is fairly easy if you've got the right tools. The cylinders are held onto the frame by a set of studs with nuts on the end, if you can remove the studs then it slides out easily, slide the new on in, put the studs back in and then tighten up the nuts. Give everything a good soak in releasing oil before you start work because it's likely to be pretty crusty down there and have stud removal tools handy. I spent many hours trying unsuccessfully to manoeuvre the cylinder over the studs, once I'd purchase stud removal tools I had the entire thing done within thirty minutes including a regulation 10minute tea break.

Hi Sam
Where is your bus I have got a spare one you can buy if you email me I will give you my Phone number.
Chris.