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#1533164 01/17/2024 1:18 AM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 80
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Jim C. Blue
Jim C. Blue
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Even though my brakes do work well, there is a noticeable leak from (at least one) wheel cylinder. Since I'm not using the truck while it is icy out, this makes for a good time to find the parts, so I can work them once the warm spring is here.
As expected, I didn't find many parts to match a 3-ton. Best I could find is at Dorman, but not 100% sure they are for a 3-ton, despite being for a 450 (US 3-ton GMC, 9700 in Canada):
Dorman

Though I have wheel cylinders from a similar truck, I don't trust them to be the same. When looking at other trucks for parts, it's axle didn't match anything else. Even then, they are likely seized and bad rubber.

Is there any similar ton model that would have the same size wheel cylinders?


Alexander's Automotive Assortment
  • 1953 GMC 9700 3-ton**
  • 1978 Plymouth Arrow
  • 1980 Jeep J10 Cargo Truck
  • 1985 Red Wagon Trailer (for cars)
  • 1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon 4wd

**(9700 in Canada or 450 in USA.)
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,003
2
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Posts: 1,003
according to gm part wiki
the USA version of your truck would use
5454314 (cast number 5454251) 1.5 inch wheel cylinder - two mounting holes

dorman W18197 crosses to that GM part

amazon.ca has them
https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-W18197-Wheel-Cylinder/dp/B001PYTQGE

i suggest you remove the one from your truck and measure it and if it is indeed 1.5 inch, and looks like the photos on Amazon, then go for it
also, could try walking into Napa with the old one as see what they can do, but i doubt they will be cheaper than an online search


take note of that "note 1" detail from the parts manual
if you have material mismatched from old to new, you can clean up and reuse your original pistons in the new cylinder from wherever
example:
if your truck has steel pistons, but the replacement uses aluminum pistons, i would de-rust and reuse your steel pistons in the new cylinder
-s
Attachments
Screenshot 2024-01-16 at 6.25.29 PM.jpg (24.43 KB, 246 downloads)
Screenshot 2024-01-16 at 6.26.49 PM.jpg (22.53 KB, 242 downloads)

Last edited by 2ManyTrucks; 01/17/2024 2:37 AM.
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 80
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Jim C. Blue
Jim C. Blue
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Posts: 80
Thank you fellow Sask bolter!

Alas, there is no longer a NAPA part supplier in my city.

Yeah, I really should remove some of them first.

Update: Found some 1.5in cups at NAPA with the option to ship. I'm taking the chance and ordered them.

Last edited by Alex Arrow; 01/17/2024 8:56 PM.

Alexander's Automotive Assortment
  • 1953 GMC 9700 3-ton**
  • 1978 Plymouth Arrow
  • 1980 Jeep J10 Cargo Truck
  • 1985 Red Wagon Trailer (for cars)
  • 1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon 4wd

**(9700 in Canada or 450 in USA.)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
Unless your brake cylinder castings (master and wheel) are in excellent condition, I'd strongly suggest having then sleeved with stainless steel. It's a one time expense that will assure they can be rebuilt repeatedly. and a good polished surface on the sleeve will make those new cups last much longer between rebuilds. It's a pretty simple procedure that any machinist worthy of the name should be able to do.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 71
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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I may as well ask here while we are talking about wheel cyilinders - would that part number be the same for a GM 9600 2.5 ton truck?

The pedal on my truck goes right to the floor, and has no fluid in the MC, so I am presuming I will need to do a bumper-to-bumper overhaul of my brakes, including replacing the brake lines and wheel cyilinders.


1959 Canadian GMC 9600 with a dump box
Intro / Details in Big Bolts
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'Bolter
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Originally Posted by Puffie40
I may as well ask here while we are talking about wheel cylinders - would that part number be the same for a GM 9600 2.5 ton truck?

The pedal on my truck goes right to the floor, and has no fluid in the MC, so I am presuming I will need to do a bumper-to-bumper overhaul of my brakes, including replacing the brake lines and wheel cylinders.

Since you're doing a complete overhaul, just send your existing MC and WC's out to be sleeved like Jerry mentioned. White Post Restoration (lifetime warranty) is just one of the places that sleeves and rebuilds them.

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1956 8400 Wrecker w/Holmes 525
1956 9200 Tractor w/Allison Automatic
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1953 Willys M38A1 Fire Jeep
1978 Jeep CJ-5 Navy Jeep
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Hughesville, MD
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,538
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,538
U.S. built 47-54 GMC 450, and 470 series 3 ton ,and 3 1/2 ton trucks have a different brake system, than the 300, and 350 series 1 1/2, and 2 ton trucks. Wheel cylinders are not even close to being the same. NAPA 15315, Raybestos WC15315.


Spanky Hardy
Collector Of Fine Old G.M. COE Trucks & Antique Holmes Wreckers

1948 Chevrolet 5700 COE Holmes HD W35 Wrecker
In the Stovebolt Gallery
More pictures on Photobucket

1950 GMC 250 1-Ton
In the Stovebolt Gallery
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,674
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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Spanky- - - -any words of wisdom on master cylinders? I'll be doing a total rehab on a 51 GMC 3 ton with a 2-speed rear axle, not sure about the front, since I don't have possession of the truck yet. The master cylinder has been misplaced. I'll be sleeving all the wheel cylinders myself since I have the machine tools and experience to do the job.
Attachments
Big GMC.JPG (415.04 KB, 141 downloads)


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 80
A
Jim C. Blue
Jim C. Blue
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 80
Quick question.
I finally took the wheels and cylinders off. Turns out, the cups are "rings" that go into the piston.
Does the piston screw apart or does the cup stretch over it?


Alexander's Automotive Assortment
  • 1953 GMC 9700 3-ton**
  • 1978 Plymouth Arrow
  • 1980 Jeep J10 Cargo Truck
  • 1985 Red Wagon Trailer (for cars)
  • 1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon 4wd

**(9700 in Canada or 450 in USA.)
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,061
3
3B Offline
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,061
Hy Alex Arrow, on the ring style cups, the seals stretch into position. On the larger bore cylinders both types of pistons are usually available, and I have never heard an explanation of why one type of piston is used over the other.

Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 81
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 81
you should be able to find a master cylinder for your truck or one from a newer one that would work what kind of brake system do you have is it a firewall mounted booster or is there a booster under the cab.


1967 Chevy c50 327 w/ sm465 5000Ib front 15k 2 speed rear w/ 22k springs, single axle, hydraulic brakes
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 80
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Jim C. Blue
Jim C. Blue
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Posts: 80
3B: Thank you!

Thick Chevy: It's the stock floor one with a booster farther away, also underneath.


Alexander's Automotive Assortment
  • 1953 GMC 9700 3-ton**
  • 1978 Plymouth Arrow
  • 1980 Jeep J10 Cargo Truck
  • 1985 Red Wagon Trailer (for cars)
  • 1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon 4wd

**(9700 in Canada or 450 in USA.)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,189
M
'Bolter
'Bolter
M Offline
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,189
Your frame mounted booster is called a Hydrovac made by Bendix. It should have a small tag with the model number on it.

Mike B smile


Mike Boteler

1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod
1956 8400 Wrecker w/Holmes 525
1956 9200 Tractor w/Allison Automatic
1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep
1953 Willys M38A1 Fire Jeep
1978 Jeep CJ-5 Navy Jeep
1984 Jeep CJ7
+++++
Hughesville, MD
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 332
O
'Bolter
'Bolter
O Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 332
I just ordered Raybestos WC14500 wheel cylinders from Rockauto for $78 each. Better than $109-149 quoted in other places. These are for the rear of my 6400. I’m replacing all 4 in the rear, already did the front.


1954 Chevy custom 261CID, T-5 5 Speed.
1952 Chevy 6400 2 ton hydraulic flat bed.

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