Joe Flanagan Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 I removed them finally from the backing plates. They've been sitting there at least since 1983 and very likely longer. The first one looked like this: I didn't think it was all that bad but then I pulled the second one: I have them sitting in a penetrant right now to loosen them up. What is the best way to get them apart? The rubber that goes around the notched pins is in good condition and I was thinking of just re-using them. Any reason I shouldn't? Quote
Robert Horne Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 When working on my 48 Dodge brakes, I hooked the wheel cylinder to my 37 master cylinder on the work bench. A couple of pumps and the piston would push out. Quote
Young Ed Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 Joe more than likely those cylinders would need to be honed beyond tolerance to be reusable. Quote
Don Coatney Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 Young Ed gave good advice. Find new ones! Quote
oldodge41 Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 Wrap a rag around them, insert compressed air into the brake line hole and pop them apart. Go easy on the compressed air. It doesn't take many psi. Start wit about 5 to 10 psi. Usually pops one side and then you can use something to push the other piston out. I have cleaned up a couple that looked like that and they worked. Some I was not so lucky. I have also heard of making a grease fitting adapter to fit the brake line hole and pump them apart with grease but I've never done it. Quote
Young Ed Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 The compressed air thing works good just watch where the piston might launch. But for the job you are doing on the rest of the car I'd only reuse those if you are planning on having them sleeved. Quote
RobertKB Posted October 20, 2011 Report Posted October 20, 2011 Young Ed gave good advice. Find new ones! Agree! New ones are readily available and cheap. Clean the old ones up and keep them as spares as they can easily be sleeved which is another option. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 I just bought replacements for my 54..they were borderline when I rebuilt them about 3 years ago..onestarting the ole drip drip drip..anyway...advacne auto..called them 8:30 that night..picked them up next day...and I must say that the fit was excellent, there was not problem with the cups and spreader pins fitting together..this seems to be a problem with some of the units..the ball end of the pin not mating well with the piston..DO inspect this closely no matter where you get your parts..by the way..got both sides and quart of fluid for less than one at Napa..not that I am knocking Napa..just at times they are very high..especially in this area..you may fare better where you are located.. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Posted October 21, 2011 Tim, there's an Advance Auto Parts not far from me. I know from reading past threads that pin length can be a problem. I assume that's not so in your case? You were able to use the original pins with the new cylinders? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) I think the pin length are common to those that come with their own pins...as this was discussed over the phone with those having trouble I do not know the entire story but I think it boils down to the fact that the original pin woul dnot fit the pistons of the new cylinders adn thus you either turned this to fit or use the new pins...if you use the new pins supplied..on heas to match the length from the bottom of the slot for the shoes to the ball of the pin..cutting the depth of the pin at the shoe was the fix here..you will know this by inspection prior to assembly..if not you will find out quick when the new shoes are sitting relaxed in a size to large to fit the drum...do not cut the drum to match the shoes..fix the real problem..pins.... I inspected mine prior..had to reuse my pins as they wre not with the cylinders but did ensure the fit of the pin to the piston..mine were an exact lay in even to the point that when tested with the Amco 1750..I did not have to mess with the major or minor adjsuters Edited October 21, 2011 by Tim Adams anser direct question Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Posted October 21, 2011 I just discovered that my local NAPA wants $90 apiece for these things. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 ka-ching....and while I cannot say 100% but I have the sneaky suspicion they coming from the same palce....32.99 at my local Advacne..of course I get 10% off the top..sweet part is I called at night just before thy closed..they said they would be in my hand by noon next day...I do have an account with them and so I don't have to stop by and pay in advance for items coming in...BUT..you can always place them on your card over the phone and still the great deliverly... Quote
Young Ed Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 Joe ask your Napa about a discount for AAA or car club? Quote
Chester Brzostowski Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 Joe, You could try Andy B. he is usually OK on mechanical parts. Chet... Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 I believe I would read the latest archived data on that first..not to put anyone down and such..but when time is of the essence..I like to just be able to drop the parts back on the counter and say..hey..we need "gooder" ones..and have an immediate refund if unable to get exact fit..so far my local folks work pretty hard..most times it is the sytem that bucks them more than they fail the customer Quote
Jim Yergin Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 Joe, The AutoZone website shows that they have them for $32.00 each. Jim Yergin Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 see Joe..as I told you in my PM these guys are often a tad less than Advance..thanks Jim... I cannot stress enough the fact you should give the local big box boys a crack at some of your needs first..so far I have not been disappointed.. they get to know you working on the old car..bring it by the shop now and then..they love the business from drop ins who just happen to see the old car out front.. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Posted October 21, 2011 So Auto Zone it is. Parts will be in tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for the help. By the way, I was curious to know who made their version of the wheel cylinders. They tell me it's Dura Last. I suppose that means some far flung industrial city in Kwangchai Province. It's the place with the goat tied to a transmission out in the yard. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 they been melting down cast away cast iron trannies for years and making wheel cylinders...been a well of good fortune for them.. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Posted October 21, 2011 You kind of made a joke there, Tim. "Cast iron trannies." A "well" of good fortune. Only thing you missed was the goat. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 someone had already got my goat..(something about the lice he had too) Quote
oldodge41 Posted October 21, 2011 Report Posted October 21, 2011 So Auto Zone it is. Parts will be in tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for the help. By the way, I was curious to know who made their version of the wheel cylinders. They tell me it's Dura Last. I suppose that means some far flung industrial city in Kwangchai Province. It's the place with the goat tied to a transmission out in the yard. That cracked me up! Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 22, 2011 Author Report Posted October 22, 2011 I got my wheel cylinders today. The original pins fit perfectly in the cups. However, printed in bold letters across the packaging is "Made in China." I hope I don't regret this. I'm going to have the shoes sent out to Tennessee Clutch and Supply to be relined. Then we'll see if the calipers I installed on the fronts nearly a decade ago are frozen. I converted the fronts to disc brakes using rotors from a 79 Volare and calipers from a 71 El Camino. Quote
oldodge41 Posted October 22, 2011 Report Posted October 22, 2011 Hang onto your originals just in case. I had mine sleeved here http://www.hagensautoparts.com/ Good job at reasonable price. Quote
Robert Horne Posted October 23, 2011 Report Posted October 23, 2011 So Auto Zone it is. Parts will be in tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for the help. By the way, I was curious to know who made their version of the wheel cylinders. They tell me it's Dura Last. I suppose that means some far flung industrial city in Kwangchai Province. It's the place with the goat tied to a transmission out in the yard. I believe the place is Zhejiang Shangyu, not far from Shanghai. If you want to place a large order, you can have your company name, and "made in the USA" on the boxes . Quote
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