Need some info on an oil leak

[Jandre]

Hi all the e34 540i drivers.

I seem to have an oil leak on the hydraulic brake booster. Anyone know of a repair kit that is available commercially?

Rick540 and I spoke about this yesterday, and a new one is out of the question.

Alternatively any other suggestions?

Thx chaps.

 

[WerriesM5]

Don't know if you get a kit for that.... On my 1st 540i/6 I ended up replacing the booster and master with a used one.

 

[zaleonardz]

Jandre,

Welcome to the H31 braking system dude, most advanced braking system at the time but, those things are harsh, its actually power steering fluid that runs the hydro booster, and thats what your leaking

I have a place here in JHB that reconned both my hydro unit as well as my master for like R900 including strip and refit. I actually have a spare hydro unit here, but its seal is leaking as well

Your unit I am sure is leaking on the triangle, where the 3 bolts come together to mate the booster and the master unit. Any decent hydraulics shop can sort that out for you, that seal should actually be quite easy to replace.

Phone around to brake specialists with hydraulic testing equipment, dont take it to the mech that works out his garage, he will not be able to fix it, but any decent brake specialist should be able to sort it, if not, strip it out, send it up to JHb, and David will get both units reconned.

New is out of the question (the master is like 12k from agents, let alone the booster), second hand you will battle to find, as you have to find a unit that is still in a car and has fluid in it, else the seals will be gone..

Do not let anybody tell you that those units cannot be reconned, cause its not true, and be careful with the pressure inside the hydro unit, it needs to be spot on, else you will have reduced braking, or if the pressure is too strong, you will keep on popping seals on the master, been there done that.....

 

[rick540]

I want to convert my H31 to vacuum like the USA 540's. The braking feel of the H31 leaves a bit to be desired.

This should be possible, but how to get a vacuum setup over here to ZA.....?

I do know I flushed the system and moved to Pentosin CHF 11S which is thinner than ATF and this gave the system a nicer more responsive feel.

 

[zaleonardz]

RIck, I have seen some of those conversions done online, I was looking at it, but were those not the E32's.

When I could not get my brakes sorted, I also looked into a vacuum conversion, the issue is on the 540, there is no space there. The smallest vacuum booster I could find was from a 1 series, and even that would not fit in that space.

Perhaps you have a pressure issue inside one of your cylinders. My brakes are sharp as hell after the rebuild. I also rebuilt all 4 calipers, so she is completly new braking system.

Still need to do discs and pads as they are at limit, but my brakes are sharp (excuse the bad pun)

I would love to know if you found a E34 with the M60 with a vacuum conversion, just to know that it is possible,

 

[Raybimmer]

Jandre Try Winbrake in Jhb They can resleeve and recon most brake assemblies , I think they have a website .
Leonard
thanks , dealt with them a few years ago and service was good

 

[zaleonardz]

Ray,

Winbrake/Wingate used to be the experts and the best in the industry. Over the last 2 years, there has been a management change and a bunch of guys left. Their service is pathetic, and they are one of the guys that told me that my master cannot be reconditioned. They tried the frist time, and they actually gave me the wrong seals.

I will ask David on monday who he can recommend down in capetown, but do not let anybody tell you it cannot be done, those two items are going to set you back like 20 or 25k new i guess

Damm BMW, you would figure that braking components should remain fairly cheap.. serious

 

[WerriesM5]

I know the Canadian 540i/6 had vacuum boosting. And I have seen more than one.
I hate the feel of the std brakes in my 540i