recommendation on replacing rear brake cylinders

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
Have a leaking rear brake cylinder on my 100M so getting ready to replace it. Believe it is recommended to replace both rear brake cylinders when you do one even if other one is not leaking - do ya'll agree ? Also going to replace brake shoes/lining as one got soaked with brake fluid - again, replace both sets so braking will be equal.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hey all,
Have a leaking rear brake cylinder on my 100M so getting ready to replace it. Believe it is recommended to replace both rear brake cylinders when you do one even if other one is not leaking - do ya'll agree ? Also going to replace brake shoes/lining as one got soaked with brake fluid - again, replace both sets so braking will be equal.
Thanks
Mike

IMHO, I don't think you have to replace both if only one is leaking.

 

[TimK]

I successfully removed brake fluid from brake shoes with Brake Cleaner.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Hey all,
Have a leaking rear brake cylinder on my 100M so getting ready to replace it. Believe it is recommended to replace both rear brake cylinders when you do one even if other one is not leaking - do ya'll agree ? Also going to replace brake shoes/lining as one got soaked with brake fluid - again, replace both sets so braking will be equal.
Thanks
Mike

No on needing to replace both cylinders, yes on replacing shoes (both sides). I had a pair of shoes get soaked and no amount of sanding/cleaning/sanding/cleaning ... would stop the shoes from leeching fluid. It depends on how badly the shoes got soaked, I suppose.

 

[andrea]

Hi Mike
I agree with Bob on all two points -I have used also the brake cleaner on my TOYOTA it works - but I am not completely satisfied by the results
Cheers

 

[bighealeysource]

Thanks for the feedback ! Already have the extra wheel cylinder so might just put it in the spare parts shelf as will cost was not much ($22.00) and sure as I send it back, other side will end up leaking down the road. Actually tried cleaning the brake linings but as more than half worn, will replace.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Thanks for the feedback ! Already have the extra wheel cylinder so might just put it in the spare parts shelf as will cost was not much ($22.00) and sure as I send it back, other side will end up leaking down the road. Actually tried cleaning the brake linings but as more than half worn, will replace.

It seems that when you have spare parts on the shelf they usually are not needed.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

It seems that when you have spare parts on the shelf they usually are not needed.

The parts on the shelf are only needed when you're on the road.

 

[Randy Forbes]

The parts on the shelf are only needed when you're on the road.

LOL, indeed!

And Mike, you get the joy of dealing with these; are you sure you want to do both sides...?

 

[steveg]

LOL, indeed!

And Mike, you get the joy of dealing with these; are you sure you want to do both sides...?

Were you actually able to get the rubber to stay in that position?

On my car they were always flopping around in space halfway up the lever.

 

[HealeyRick]

Randy:

Totally agree, What a giant PITA that job is.

Steve:

Also totally agree. Have the exact same problem with the rubbers. We must be doing something wrong, but I don't know what it is.

 

[bighealeysource]

Well, haven't done it yet but if Randy considers it a tough, pita job, then brother, I'll just be replacing the one for now !!!

 

[Randy Forbes]

Were you actually able to get the rubber to stay in that position?

On my car they were always flopping around in space halfway up the lever.

I went out later that same day I posted that picture and took my own rear wheel cylinders off__can't be letting Mike have all the fun! Truth is, my left rear axle seal has been leaking for about a year (at least that's how long ago I ordered the parts...) and with the All British show in One (1) Month up in Safety Harbor, and no immediate BMW projects, I decided to start prepping my own car. Doing the wheel cylinders now, was just prudent, as even though I flush the fluid annually, there was starting to build up some crud outside of the cyl pistons, under the rubber boots.

And to answer your question, YES, the exterior rubber seals on the outside of the backplates were absolutely still in their proper positions. You have to assemble those hateful plates on top of the rubber to keep them in place. I should've taken a picture (pictures are generally reserved for my long-distance paying customers; my own stuff, I just want to be through with).

 

[steveg]

...

And to answer your question, YES, the exterior rubber seals on the outside of the backplates were absolutely still in their proper positions. You have to assemble those hateful plates on top of the rubber to keep them in place. I should've taken a picture (pictures are generally reserved for my long-distance paying customers; my own stuff, I just want to be through with).

Maybe the fact that they're genuine Girling parts (as opposed to Moss') means they're somehow able to 'stick' in position. When I used to have drum rears, my hateful clips were in the same position as shown in the photo -- to no avail!