Brake cylinders

[Merle Coggins]

I know this has been brought up here before, but I can't seem to find it. Maybe it's on the old forum, which I can't seem to access either. (what's the status of CD's or DVD's of the old forums?)

Someone posted the Napa part numbers for the wheel cylinders at one time. Who still has those, or part #'s from other sources?

I pulled 1 rear drum and 1 front drum over the weekend. The shoes show some wear, but have a bit of life yet. However the cylinders are kind of iffy so I'll feel better if they all get replaced. I've already installed a new master cylinder and am running all new lines.

Thanks,

Merle

[grey beard]

Merle,

I did a lot of price checking and NAPA was highest. They handle Raybestos brand, which is likely among the best. Bought mine from Andy8 B - all wheel cylinders and master cylinder - for about $200. All afre brand new - no reman, but he protects his source - they're all shipped in plastic bags - no boxes with vendor names. Everything looked fine.

One word of cautiono. If you get rear wheel cylinders from Andy, be sure to get the flare seat fitting nexessary for connecting the top cylinder to the steel brake line. One of mine was missing, but he supplied it after two phoone calls. This same wheel cylinder is used on the front end of cars, but the rubber flex line threads into the top cylinder, and no flare seat is needed. You only need this fitting for truck rear axles. JMHO

[Merle Coggins]

I'll use Andy B as a last resort. I've had a couple of issues with them on previous orders, primarily regarding his shipping methods as you mentioned.

Also, I tend to be more comfortable with name brand stuff rather than off brand. I got my master cylinder from Napa for $130 (I don't pay list price) and Andy B lists his at $115, but I didn't have to pay any shipping charges and it was delivered to my desk here at work.

By the way... did the fittings from your old cylinders not fit the new ones? Why couldn't you have used one of them for the one that was missing?

Merle

[Norm's Coupe]

Merle,

You might try Kanter. Not sure if they have the cylinders for trucks but I bought them for my coupe and you can't beat the service. Prices are better than Andy B and NAPA too.

[Merle Coggins]

Thanks Norm,

I have a Kanter catalog. They don't list anything for Dodge Trucks. In fact in the listing under Dodge, they have "Call". Something about too many variations to list? I haven't called them yet, but thought about it.

[Norm's Coupe]

Merle,

As mentioned, you can't beat their customer service. Before putting disc brakes on my coupe I had ordered new wheel cylinders. On the coupe you need left and right cylinders on the fronts. I didn't try to use the cylinders for about a year after I had bought them. When I went to put them on I realized I had two of the same side. Thinking I would have to eat the cost because I didn't check them when I got them, I called to order the one side I didn't have. I explained what had happened to the sales person on the phone and he immediately said, "Oh, we'll just exchange those as long as they were never on the car." Then he turned me over to the service department to set up the exchange. Anyone else like Andy B or NAPA and I probably would have been stuck paying for the new order, and that's what I thought would happen with Kanter. Was a pleasant surprise when I did not have to buy another cylinder. I did not ask for them to exchange it, they just volunteered.

[Dennis_MN]

I rebuilt my wheel cylinders with kits purchased from NAPA for about $11.00 each. I also ordered new bearing seals at the same time.

This was for the front wheels, I haven't touched the rears yet.

Dennis Sullivan

[grey beard]

Some rear wheel upper wheel cylinders have an integral flare seat built in. My old ones were of this sort, so there were no old fittings to use. The new ones from Andy had no seat and thus needed the fitting in order to get the flare seat for the steel lines on the rear axle. I think this part is identical to front upper cyulinders on automobiles of the same vintage - they can cover two applications with one part number - but ya gotta have the little fitting . . . . . .

[Guest firstsigns]

So was it ever discovered what the part numbers were for those wheel cylinders at Napa? or are rebuild kits more common and easier install?

I'm running into the same issue. I may need the master as well.

Thanks

[Merle Coggins]

I ended up getting the Raybestos numbers out of a book at my local Checker Auto Parts, but their prices were quite high. My Napa sales rep took those numbers and had them crossed to Napa. They ended up being the same numbers. I also noticed that Parts America (CSK Auto {Checker, Schuck's & Kragen} or Advance Auto Parts) list the same numbers under Tru Torque or Dorman brands. They are as follows;

Rear brake cylinders;

Left Upper W10580

Right Upper W10581

Left Lower W10582

Right Lower W10583

I believe Napa dropped the "W"

The fronts get more tricky. Parts America lists P/N W17789 for both wheels. This cylinder is listed as having a 1 3/8" bore. However, they should be a step bore type with one side larger than the other. They do show P/N W9375 and W9376 for a B4F or B4PW as having 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" bores. These may actually be the correct parts for our trucks too. I think I just used the W17789 cylinders.

I got my master cylinder from Napa too. That they listed in their catalogs, and even on their online catalog. I don't recall the number.

[Guest firstsigns]

Excellent. Thanks so much Merle. I appreciate your help!!!

[Byronb3b]

I purchased wheel cylinders for my '48 Chrysler from Andy, yes they were quite a bit less expensive than United, but they are made in China and only lasted about two years before starting to leak and ruining brake lining and causing me to have to do the whole job over. I would have the old cylinders sleeved before I would go the A route again. since brake fluid tends to absorb moisture, I think it would help to flush the system on these old rigs once a year since most of the them spend more time sitting around than being used. Byron