<VV> Wheel Cylinders Survey

[Joel McGregor]

I rebuild mine and master cylinders as well.  I have found that master cylinder kits are usually more expensive than a replacement master cylinder but I've had a lot of issues with new and "rebuilt" master cylinders.  The last new one I bought was machined wrong and it would lock up the front brakes when they got hot.  I've rarely found ones that couldn't be rebuilt.  Pitting in the middle of a wheel cylinder doesn't matter because the seals don't ever run there.  If you are attempting to make money selling them I doubt it would make sense to rebuild.  If you are the shop working on the car you don't even need to remove the wheel cylinder to clean and hone it.  A quick hone and cleanout with spray brake cleaner is a lot easier than replacing it and you don't have to worry about problems with fittings and such.

Joel McGregor

________________________________________
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org [virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] on behalf of Jay Maechtlen [jaysplace at laserpubs.com]
Subject: Re: <VV> Wheel Cylinders Survey

On 12/23/2013 12:31 PM, lonwall at corvairunderground.com wrote:
> The vast majority of wheel cylinders are not rebuildable, regardless of
> what your intentions may be. We tried doing rebuilt wheel cylinders
> about 25 years ago before the repros were done but even then it just
> didn't pencil out.
>
> Lo
> www.corvairunderground.com
?? do you mean they are not in good enough condition?
I guess a unit that's been in service for 50 years could have serious
corrosion issues, but not necessarily.
The cylinders on mine are '61-62 Tempest, and those are a lot harder to
find than standard 'Vair cylinders.
  But regarding cost - there is the cost of the labor to clean and hone
the bore, and there is the cost of downtime and finding and getting a
replacement.
Those can pencil out a number of different ways, depending on the
priorities and needs of the moment.
For an overhaul, you mainly need the right size cups to get a car on the
road.
It is preferable, of course, to have new boots as well.
But the car really doesn't care about the rest - as long as the pistons
move freely and the cups don't leak, it is happy.
cheers
Jay


>
>
> On 12/23/2013 9:37 AM, Scott Morehead wrote:
>> How many folks still rebuild their own wheel cylinders or is the trend now to just toss them and purchase new cylinders - thanks
>>
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Scott Morehead
>> T-mobile Cellular
>> 843 - 478 - 4223
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--
Jay Maechtlen

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