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#19126 06/17/2004 1:27 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 43
D
Junior Member
Junior Member
D Offline
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 43
What is the recommendation for a solvent to use for cleaning brake cylinders for rebulid? "Brakleen" doesn't seem to get it done...

My cylinders have a lot of "varnish" from old brake fulid and junk from deteriorated rubber seals.

What is a good and safe method of cleaning them before final touch-up with the cylinder hone?

Thanks!

Dave

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Dave,

When all else fails and you are only dealing with metal, try lacquer thinner (if it is legally available in your area).

How close are you to West Chester?

Tim

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 43
D
Junior Member
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 43
Tim -

Thanks! I 'll get some lacquer thinner.

I am about 10 miles from West Chester, PA.

Know of any good parts stores or Used Parts suppliers?

Thanks!

Dave

Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,773
F
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,773
A word of warning. Lacquer thinner has solvents that are not compatible with DOT3 brake fluid. Be sure to thoroughly clean with either Brakekleen or denatured alcohol (also at the hardware store).


Fred
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H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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ANY petroleum-based solvent is bad news when it mixes with rubber brake parts, so always do a final flush with alcohol. I'll second the lacquer thinner suggestion, or Methyl Ethyl Ketone, if you can find some. MEK will clean just about anything, including all the oil in any skin it touches, so glove up before using that stuff! It's pretty potent in the fume department, too, so have a fan running if you use it.
Jerry


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Joined: Mar 2002
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'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2002
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My question is what is the lubricant that the rebuilders use when putting these things together? My new wheel cylinders had some kind of thin goo that was not brake fluid, coating the inside. This obviously gives them shelf life but I don't think that there is a product like this available off the shelf.


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Joined: Jun 2000
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F
'Bolter
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For lube use brake fluid. I use a small can and dip the hone in it, then clean the bore and smear some more fluid in it before putting in the pistons. If there are rust grooves, you need to either get new cylinders or get yours re-lined.


Fred
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T
Wrench Fetcher
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Posts: 66
Dave, Have you tried burning the crud out with a torch? It worked for me. The metal expands at a different rate than the crud, and it lets go of it's grip. All that was left was a little carbon residue which wiped out with a dunk in the parts tank, and a wipe with a clean shop towel.


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