Lets Talk Wheel Cylinders
First of all I’m working on a 3/4 ton Chevy with 12”x 2” Huck rear brakes with 1 3/8” wheel cylinders. Second of all I’m a bull headed old cus that would rather rebuild something rather than throw-it-away. I think it has something to do with the generation I’m from! Many, many years ago, in another place and time, I worked in the automobile trade as a counter man and machinist, with Chevrolet and in independently owned aftermarket stores. If I remember correctly, I think the line of brake parts we carried were EIC. They supplied kits and individual brake parts in handy boxes, for rebuilding all parts of the brakes such as Bendix adjusters, dust covers, springs, bleeders, pistons, and CUPS! I find that most of the vendors offer most of the parts, except for the CUPS.
I’ve looked on the internet and I have searched all the CarQuest, AutoZone, Napa, etc., stores in my local area and can’t find CUPS. Does any one know of a source for wheel cylinder CUPS? I don’t want to spend fifteen or twenty bucks on a kit, just to get the little rubber cups that are manufactured by the billions and should sell for 10cents each, but are probably two bucks now.
Thirdly I want to know just how far the cylinder can be safely honed before the standard cup won’t hold pressure. I have been unable to find any literature that addresses this subject. If I could find a site for the manufacturer of the cups or wheel cylinders, I might be able to get an answer to this question. But alas, they are as elusive as the cups are.
I may have to, and I have no problem with, boring the cylinders out to the next size which would be 1 1/2”. I can do that in either the lathe or a Bridgeport mill. There is plenty of meat in the casting so that would not be a problem. In the later case I could finish hone the cylinder to 1.500” exactly so the question of a seal for the standard 1 1/2” cup is a non issue. Besides, the casting numbers on the 3/4 ton and the 1 ton wheel cylinders are the same, the bore is the only difference.
Now I know there are those of you out there that are saying, WHY would you want to go through all of that, when you can buy a new wheel cylinder for $50??? Simply, because I’m retired and I can, that is if I can find the cups!
Appreciate any feed back, even if its negative.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
