Brakes Stuck
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: E Grand Forks
Brakes Stuck
I have the drums off the front of my 1949 F-1 and it seems to be very rusty. If i lift up the little rummer gromet on the Brake cylinder it looks very rusty and coroded. Is there anyway I can take it apart and clean it so I dont have to buy a whole new brake wheel cylinder? The brake do not work right now an I would like to get them working so I can drive it a bit.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Joyce, WA
Your stuck! If they look that bad they need to be replaced. You MAY get lucky and they MAY not be pitted and you MAY be able to hone them out and MAYBE get new seals to seal. I would jump right to replacement. Brakes are not a place to go cheap on.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,772
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From: Kalispell, MT
By the time you buy a cylinder hone, a wheel cylinder rebuild kit and spend hours with the cylinder on the bench hammering out the pistons with a variety of drifts or air pressure,etc. and still have ineffective brakes..... (can you tell I've done this?) You'll be way ahead to just buy new wheel cylinders - they're not that expensive and are the most important part of your brakes. NAPA or your favorite parts house should have them in stock.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
New wheel cylinders are your best best, but if you are a tinkerer and a cheepskate like me, you want to get every inch out of your old stuff you can. Take the cylinders apart and see if they are pitted. If so, you are done because no amount of cleaning will fix them. If there are no pits, hone them out and rebuild them. If you don't have a hone you can clean them out with emery cloth. Be sure you do not use anything containing petroleum products during the cleaning process as it will contaminate the system. I've found plain old rubbing alcohol works well. If you take the rubber cups to NAPA you can get replacement cups without buying the whole rebuild kit if the rest of the parts (dust seals and springs) are okay and save a few bucks. If you check the rear, you will probably find that they need rebuilding too. Flush the system with new brake fluid when you finish... 
Vern
Vern
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Vancouver Island
Try UAP/NAPA; you may be pleasantly surprised by how cheap new cylinders are. The rear ones for my '57 were amazingly cheap at NAPA.
I can say from experience that it isn't a good thing when brake cylinders leak and let all the fluid out. Fortunately shrubbery and telephone booths are softer than pickup truck bumpers.
You should also look critically at the steel brake lines, because those rust out, usually somewhere towards the back of the truck, and they don't fail until you stomp on the brake for some good reason. I know this from experience too.
I can say from experience that it isn't a good thing when brake cylinders leak and let all the fluid out. Fortunately shrubbery and telephone booths are softer than pickup truck bumpers.
You should also look critically at the steel brake lines, because those rust out, usually somewhere towards the back of the truck, and they don't fail until you stomp on the brake for some good reason. I know this from experience too.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northern Virginia
my cylinders were leaking like crazy. I went ahead and ordered to overhaul kit from Concours for $229 and that covers all four wheels. I was going to nickle and dime wheel by wheel but doing the math, it would come out a whole lot cheaper buying the whole rebuild. This includes new brake shoes, 4 cylinders, hoses and springs.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: East Palestine, Ohio
Do you have a web address for Concours? Took my truck(48F1) out of garage yesterday for first time. Brake went all the way to the floor. Drove back into garage took off front drums. Both cylinders leaking. Going to buy new shoes and wheel cylinders. I may also replace master cylinder. Looks like it is leaking also. I am not sure about back yet. The truck has a late model 9" rear, but not sure what year it is. I am going to take drums off back today and see how they are. Could take parts to napa and have them match parts.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 433
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From: Breckenridge, Minn.
Don't even mess with the old cylinders. Isn't your life and those around you worth more than the price of the wheel kits? For about $10.00 to $15.00 per wheel it is better to have new cylinders. I've seen TOO many times where people aren't willing to put out the money for brake parts and the ultimate price paid well exceeds the cost of good brakes. Please don't be the one that doesn't put out. I've seen where guys come in and want the drums turned smooth when they are already out past the limit; then don't understand why the drum cracks and the brakes fail. If you have the drums turned have the shoes re-arched to match the drums. You won't have the fading problem until they seat to the larger diameter. Enough of the editorial. Please get the new cylinders and make sure you repace the brake fluid. There will be rust in the lines and will cause premature ware on the cylinders. Brake fluid does collect moisture over time and contributes to the rust. Good Luck.
Gear Up
Gear Up
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: East Palestine, Ohio
I am definatly going to replace old parts with new. I agree that brakes are not the place to skimp on budget. Going to do all four wheels and master cylinder. Haven't checked brake lines yet.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
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From: east central Illinois
Originally Posted by Gear Up
For about $10.00 to $15.00 per wheel it is better to have new cylinders.
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by oldtruck56721
I was looking in my LMC catalog and they have the wheel cylinder for $22.95 or the brake wheel cylinder kit for $70. Which on would i need?
Vern
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 433
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From: Breckenridge, Minn.
Now there you go making me feel my age. Remember it has been over twenty years since I taught shop and that a great deal of my experience with this work was right after the wheel was invented. So I didn't allow for inflation. The point was made and taken. Have a Hoppy Easter. I spelt it right; You need to see the decorations on the kitchen cabinets to understand.
Gear Up
Gear Up
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Fat Fendered Ford
I'd be interested in where you found new wheel cylinders for $10-15 and what quality they were.
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
He found them at NAPA on the shelf about 20 years ago....
Actually, some prices for wheel cylinders apparently have come down from old levels. I bought a pair of rear wheel cylinders for my 65 Mustang at a local parts house just last year for $9.95 each...
Time will tell on the quality, but so far so good...
Vern