Is it time for new wheel cylinders?

[123]

There is no way that you should need to change 3 year old cylinders, 30 years old, maybe

That ain't necessarily so I'm afraid
.

[123]

having replaced the front drums and shoes for brand new from ESM, THE mot man isn't happy that although the front brakes are spot on the rolling tester machine, the brakes bind/stick a bit after breaking, upon removing the drum I find there is a "spot" he's suggested rubbing back the brake linings with emery paper, but could it be my three year old wheel cylinders are the problem, failing to return and causing the partial binding against the drum? does anyone else have a similar experience?

Try sticking some coarse wet and dry inside the drum.
On the friction face.
So the W&D faces the linings.

Re-assemble.

Sit in the car and press the brakes very lightly while someone turns the wheel that you fitted to the drum.

Fred in a Shed brake s lining radiusing for beginners

Check progress frequently.
Coarse W&D removes the lining pretty quickly.

Remove W&D before use on the road
.

[davidmiles]

here's the problem, the wheel cylinder has taken an impact at some stage, the one with the bleed nipple...[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

replacements should be arriving any minute now, ESM, haven't let me down so far

[bmcecosse]

You can straighten that out easily... but these are the cheap/nasty 'repro' cylinders. I do hope you have ordered 'genuine' ones - and the red rubber grease.....

[ManyMinors]

I quite agree. The cheap foreign front wheel cylinders (the ones with a seal on the piston itself as pictured) are a waste of money, don't last and often leak fluid. Why anybody would choose to purchase a cheap alternative when buying important brake components I'll never know. A whole set of original quality ones is a little under £70 I think - not a high price for something so crucial.

[bmcecosse]

And absolutely nothing if you were to compare with costs of parts for 'moderns' these days !

[les]

I thought the seals had always been on the pistons, where are the seals on other cylinders, if not on the pistons?

[davidmiles]

oh, well never Mind, I ordered and received the cylinders you mention above. With them fitted the drum spun like a dream, so it wasn't the fault of the new drums and shoes, problem was my little helper, who's off for half term hols, let the fluid level drop in the master cylinder, so we sucked in air and have to begin bleeding again. Roy mentioned that the MOT re-test 10 day period doesn't cover non weekend working, I pointed this out to Mr MOT, so I do have two more days to get it spot on before the re-test.[frame][/frame]
I'll apply some of Roy's red grease when it arrives from E bay.

[bmcecosse]

The original pistons don't have a seal as such - the seal is a rubber 'bucket in the cylinder. Pity about the fluid level...... To be honest I'm not completely sure about the 'working day' rule - but certainly that's the way my local plays it. He even helpfully pointed it out to me one time, when I was concerned if I could get a wheel bearing for my TR7 in time. But it's a flexible rule anyway - they can make it 20 days if they wish - it's up to them how much they charge you.

[123]

The original pistons don't have a seal as such - the seal is a rubber 'bucket in the cylinder. Pity about the fluid level...... To be honest I'm not completely sure about the 'working day' rule - but certainly that's the way my local plays it. He even helpfully pointed it out to me one time, when I was concerned if I could get a wheel bearing for my TR7 in time. But it's a flexible rule anyway - they can make it 20 days if they wish - it's up to them how much they charge you.

The cup seal is a big plus in as much as it keeps copper ions away from the piston.
In that way it reduces the chance of erosion / plating.
.

[les]

Ah yes, I'm with it now, I do recall the 'bucket' type, pushed in first. I think they were used on the Mini.

[davidmiles]

Alice passed her MOT this afternoon, a few advisories to chew over, the rear shackle bushes for one, some work to do this year.
Thanks to all for your help and comments.

[bmcecosse]

Great success! Well done.....

[mogbob]

Belated congratulations on the MOT pass.
BT decided, in their wisdom, to cut me off from the rest of the world for a few days...back in action now.
Bob