Re: Solidified Brake fluid in master cylinder

Posted by BH On 2009/10/21 9:59:02

John -

I sure miss those days.

About 15 years ago, I knocked a set of seized wheel cylinders apart (with hammer and a hardwood dowel), but after so much honing, I wasn't sure I could trust using the cup seals that Kanter includes in their brake overhaul kit.

At that time, wheel cylinder kits included seals, boots and a spring - no pistons. Yet, my dad told me about kits from EIS that had a specially wound spring that helped press the cup seal more tightly against the bore. A good old partsman was able to get them for me. I put 'em in, and never had the slightest leak - not even with DOT5!

I think EIS has long since gone by the wayside, however. Now, a Raybestos paper catalog from more recent years lists wheel cylinder repair kits for some vehicles, but doesn't go back far enough for Packards. Rock Auto's online catalog shows 'em for some years of Packards - but more often, its only wheel cylinders.

Even though I had good results with kits back then, I wouldn't mess with them now, as long as new wheel cylinders were available - unless it was a matter of needing to replace cup seals only (in otherwise good cylinders). Avoid value-priced cylinders and stick with reputable brand names; that cheap stuff can come back to haunt in short order.

Still, I save any old cylinders - in case the day comes that new ones are NLA. That way, I'd have a set to send off and be sleeved in brass, if needed.