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Dismantle Brake Master Cylinder

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asoupley

Jedi Hopeful
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I am currently trying to dismantle the brake master cylinder on my 1970... (I know that master cylinders have been talked about recently, but I did not want to hijack anyones thread!) I can only get as far as removing the outer spring under the boot, and then remove the lock ring inside. There is that nylon washer/seal that I cannot get to move... any ideas? Also, does anyone know what type of wrench to use to remove the reservoir from the master cylinder - I cannot find one that fits inside the recessed areas!

I hope this make sense...

Thanks in advance!
Soup!
 
The best way to get that Nylon ring out is to cook it out with a propane torch. Under that you will find another snap ring. I was unable to find a pair of snap ring pliers that could reach it so I made my own with the thinnest, longest needle nose pliers I could find. I ground a little more material off of the pliers and cut a small noch on each side of the pliers with a cut-off wheel. Works perfect.

I would avoid the rebuild kit they sell on VB. You can get a pretty good kit from bpnorthwest.com as well as a small packet of red assembly grease.
 
When working on removing the nylon ring it is important not to scratch the cylinder walls.

A common technique involves drilling two small holes in the nylon so that two #6 screws can be screwed in, and then slowly work the nylon washer out by pulling on these screws.

When I did mine I cut the washer with a hot x-acto blade.

Once you get it out, there awaits another challenge below...grasshopper. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
MORRIS!!!

You ruined the surprise.

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Sorry. We must have been typing at the same time.

I would avoid the screw technique as you can scratch things up pretty bad real easy. Don't ask me how I know.
 
Ok, I'll try the propane torch method (any chance to use my torch!). Thanks for all the advice!!
 
I got my nylon out by drilling the ring on each side and using a couple ice pic type tools. The ring is replaced in the kit. Also, I have an small long shanked old flat screw driver that for some reason long forgotten the end has been bent in the last 1/4". It always seems to be of use and I used it on this project. As you remove all the parts, list each, and note their orientation. The reservior is held on by 4 philips screws, thats all. Others say the carbs are a problem, I think the master cyl is. Good luck.
 
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