Front brake cylinders.

[bluegrass]

I have just put back together my standard front brakes on a 1968 car and am having trouble refitting the drums. They are too tight a fit around the released (used) brake shoes. I think the brake cylinders might be at fault. I'm assuming the round seal fits around the top of the main cylinder body. When i fitted the cylinders a couple would not compress properly, it was as if there was a vacuum of air preventing them from fully closing properly. Is there something i can do to close them up fully before fitting?

Thanks for any help.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - open the bleed nipples ! You will need to bleed the brake anyway. Although the air/fluid should have been able to just flow back to the master cylinder. Don't understand what you mean by the 'seal' - there is just a rubber inverted bucket inside the cylinder - sits on top of the piston, and a tiny rubber ring to keep dirt out under the cap. There should have no need to disturb any of this when fitting new cylinders ? You haven't got the nasty 'one year life' non-genuine cylinders - I hope...... oh and always to pack a bit of 'red rubber grease' under the outer piston.

[Nickol]

That has got me thinking. My Brakes are binding again after a Long lay off whilst doing my LHD conversion. i thought perhaps that the Master cylinder is at fault ( still need to check if all or only 1 or 2 wheels are affected)

however, how can i tell if i have the "replica" wheel brake cylinders fitted? Are original ones stamped with a Lockheed Emblem?