72 145--I'm getting ready to change the master cylinder after 400.000 miles (cheap crap just won't last). Does the reservoir just pop off of the master? I order new rubber seals. I hate to just start prying on it without knowing if there is secret waiting to bite me.

hi sages- have done numerous master cylinder changeouts in varied brands of tanks. among aftermarket producers, i have had good experience only with wagner, bendix and usually raybestos but in american cars. the rest were crappers. usually went stinko and leaked within 2 years. problem is like that quiz show from the 50s some of you may remember(the price is ridiculous with bill cullen). nobody will get that one. anyway what brand would you recommend for the volvo 240 which im sure ill have to replace someday. about to replace it in my mercury marquis. choice is new original from fomoco for 140 or aftermarket rebuilt for 40. probably will do the fomoco despite the sticker shock since i dont want todo it again for 15 years. is your reco against the above aftermarketers for the volvo? problem of course is disconnecting the screw in 2 fittings for the fluid lines at the cylinder. often results in clusterf!@#$ broken line or seized nut unless youre very careful with a flare wrench, pb blast or torch. thanks tons for your advice oldduke

as a final note, maybe immerse the whole thing in hot water for awhile.....heat always helps, and the water will also act as a lube, and warmer plastic is less likely to crack.
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Patrick, '68 220 , '53 GMC 4104, '97 VW Transporter.

I like the hot water idea. I'll try that when I get the new one in hand. It's good to know that Eric has spares if I'm not successful.

Steve;

I wouldn't start wrenching around that old plastic reservoir too much either as Al says...if you have new rubbers, I'd suggest sacrificing the old ones and cutting then away as much as possible, then lubing up whatever remains well to ease removal of the barb.

Cheers

Yes it just pulls out. You will have to be VERY careful that you don't break the plastic while prying. But with 44 year old plastic (and possibly the seals too) all bets are off.

There is a barb-type end on the reservoir "tubes" that feed the master cylinder.
You may want to spray some lubricant between the bottom of the reservoir and the existing rubbers to ease removal.

Thanks--I'll try to be delicate.

Use some lubricant on the seals and pull straight up.

The 1 time I managed to break 1, I pulled off to 1 side and cracked 1 of the nipples.

If you do break it, I have good used ones.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com