Master Cylinder Spring Clip

I'm trying to remove the spring clip that secures the master cylinder piston in my 82 XJ 750. Dumb question: am I trying to contract the clip or expand it? Is the groove it's in around the piston (expand clip) or the bore (contract clip)?

 

Tempted to make a joke here...

Potato. :mrgreen:

Seriously, though, it's an external clip, so you expand it to take it off. (It's holding the rubber bootie onto the piston, IIRC.) Most of the circlip removal tools you see won't extend down into the housing far enough to get to the clip, so what a lot of people here have done (myself included) is take a cheap set of needlenose pliers and grind the tips down to fit in the holes.

 

HELP! I've installed the new piston, gasket and rubber cap. The piston moves freely, but no brake fluid comes out the hose end. Have I installed the gasket or cap incorrectly?

 

The Master Cylinder was cleaned and checked?

You have to SIGHT the Cylinder for accumulated Foreign Matter and Pitting.

I use a Mini Mag Light and look at the Cylinder Wall for any accumulation of Foreign Matter and Pitting in the reflections as you rotate the Cylinder.

The Bore can be treated to a Refinishing.
You need to Fabricate a Tool.
Using a Fiberglass Rod, ... Tape 600 Grit Finishing Paper to the Rod and
Wind-it Clockwise.
Attach more Sandpaper to the Roll by Taping the Next Sheet to the UNDERSIDE or the last one.

Keep adding Layers until you have a Roll with a Tight Fit.
Spin this Roll in the Cylinder at Medium Speed in the direction that causes the Roll to tighten.
Use Brake Fluid as a wetting agent.

keep the Roll moving In and Out.
Follow 600 with 800, and 1200.
Clean.

Assemble using Clean Brake Fluid as lube.
Probe the Reservoir Replenishment Passage as part of the Cleaning.