Just replaced master cylinder and vacuum servo (still not sure this is done properly and leak free yet :( ). When I went to bleed the rear offside wheel, an orange (rusty) fluid was dripping onto the wheel and when I came to the bleed nipple it snapped off :(

Intending to replace both rear cylinders. Do the shoes definitely need replacing as well, or will a good spray of brake cleaner work? They were replaced just over a year ago so would be a shame to just bin them.

Is there anything else I should look at doing?

Considering:-

• Replacing front bleed nipples
  
• Renewing caliper piston and seals
  
• Clean up rear brake back plates, zinc alu spray, and some protection wax on the rear (not inside) or renew (look particularly rusty)
  
• Replace self adjust mechanism push rod and wedge
  

Thanks in advance.

Edited 22 July, 200817 yr by anewman

As long as the fluid has not soaked into the lining you should be ok with a good clean with brake cleaner and a rough up with e bit of emery cloth

As for the rest of your considerations, IMHO dont bother, as long as the brakes are working and the bleed nipples are free (a bit of grease around them once removed) and a quick wire brush up on the back plates

i recently redid my entire back brakes. i had one leaking cylinder that was so bad i would loos about 300mls of fluid on a long drive. the pipe proved impossible to remove from the cylinder due to rust and corrision (nut rounded off with force from a tiny 10mm spanner!!!)

ended up having to get two new cylinders and brake pipes and shoeas from the main dealer. removing the cylinder with the pipe still attached proved much easier. it was a biatch removing the old pipes from the flexible hose links!

it was a biatch removing the old pipes from the flexible hose links!

Was that because the hose kept rotating and was difficult to grip? (I've experienced that changing a front pipe). I'll see what happens when I get around to starting the job anyway.

Have got my hands on a Felicia haynes as the second version of the Favorit manual doesn't cover the updated rear brakes. The Felicia one also seems better written in places too so I'm glad I got it.