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Tips

CLEANING/SOAKING WHEEL CYLINDERS??????

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paulsherman

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I have a bunch of brake components (wheel, slave and master cylinders)that came with the Bugeye I purchased a few years ago. Some are frozen, most just dirty. What should I soak this stuff in prior to dissasembly for inspection and repair?
Any other tips that may help, short of buying everything new?

Thank you
 
When I was in the service we used to soak stuff in military aircraft hydraulic fluid to clean them up but now I think that the equivalent would be ATF and acetone.
Give it a try.
BillM
 
I need to do the same thing.

How/where do you get rid of/recycle the ATF+acetone solution once the parts are cleaned up?

Do auto parts stores typically accept this sort of stuff to recycle?
 
I believe I can take this stuff to the Tacoma City recycle center as I live in Tacoma. I think King County has the same services at their dumps. Check with them
 
I live in Kitsap county. I'll bet they have something similar. Thanks!

Speaking of Tacoma, me and the family are heading there today to see Yo Gabba Gabba (kids TV show) live! Fun! :smile:
 
If you have to soak them apart, I am willing to bet that the bores are bad. Honing and polishing is hit or miss on pitted or corroded cylinders in my book.You've got to enlarge the bores to the bottom of the pits, and the pistons may be shot as well. One of the first things I do for an old car is the hydraulics. Sometimes a re-sleeve is an option over new, but cylinders and hoses are more than peace of mind.
My little grand kids absolutely loved Y.G.G.
Bill
 
Get new wheel and clutch cylinders. You will be happy you did. Have master rebuilt with new sleeves etc.
 
I'm a cheapskate and hone them unless they are really bad. After the acetone and trans fluid the solvent of choice for brake hydraulic work and honing is alcohol.


Kurt.
 
I'm a cheapskate and hone them unless they are really bad. After the acetone and trans fluid the solvent of choice for brake hydraulic work and honing is alcohol.


Kurt.
 
Kurt-
Nothing wrong with being cheap.
Some of my best friends are amazingly cheap.
However...
I long ago gave up rebuilding and honing.
I either buy new or start with a resleeved unit.
This stuff is just too old.
Besides, I like to do jobs once...

Paul
 
I would soak & then scrub the worst of the crud off is paraffin & then use IPA.
Disposal is easy, put the whole lot in a tin can with your oily rags & add a match.
Best done outside.
 
IPA? That sounds like a waste of good beer, unless you meant that he should use the IPA on himself.
 
If they're stuck together, they're corroded. If they're corroded, they're pitted. Chances are you won't be able to hone them smooth, and if you can, you'll probably take off too much metal, and they'll leak.

If you insist on trying, though, soak them in any kind of oil, and use some compressed air to force out the pistons. Be careful; when they come loose, they'll pop out like they were shot from a gun. Wrap the thing in a rag when you do it.

Brake cylinders are relatively cheap, and very important. This really isn't the place to skimp.
 
Really, I am both curious and cheap. After soaking, then the compressed air thing, I won't be able to find the pistons until I clean my shop (scheduled for 2015 or later) so I will end up buying new anyway.
 
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