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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | I will soon be tearing into the brakes of my 1941 1 1/2 military 4x4. The overall plan for the truck is restoration.
I have found a couple of places that can reline my wheel/master cylinders. One place uses brass, and the other stainless steel. Both are about the same in price. Which one is best? What are the pros/cons? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,809 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,809 | Stainless lasts a lot longer than brass, and there's no concern with corrosion. If the price is close to the same, go for the stainless sleeves.
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: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | Thanks,
The folks at White Post Restorations resleeve with brass and claim that stainless can stain. Sounds like an oxymoron to me. They claim that brass is superior.
Since stainless steel is harder than brass, it would seem that it would resist scratching the cylinder walls.
Does anyone know the reactivity of stainless and aluminum (cylinder) vs. brass and aluminum? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,809 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,809 | Yes, stainless steel will discolor somewhat. If you plan to pass the truck on to your great-grandchildren, they might have to think about doing a little polishing on the cylinder surfaces when they rebuild the brakes. Before then, I don't think it will be much of a concern. We ran dozens of miles of 4" stainless steel thinwall pipe when I was working for Gallo Winery in the late 1970's, and I'll bet the majority of it is still there, with a bare minimum of corrosion.
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: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | Jerry,
Thanks for the input, will go with the stainless steel.
Paul | | | | | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 268 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 268 | Go stainless, if you ever have to rebuild it again, you can run a brake cylinder hone with out worries.
Mine had already been done before with stainless insert.
I just did mine quick and easy with stainless insert.
Cleaned up great without removing any material.
Dance like no one is watching,
Sing like no one is listening,
Love like you've never been hurt.
1948 GMC FC101 1/2t Pickup w/270 and SM420
1948 GMC FC253 1t Factory 80"x9' Flatbed Dually
1948 Chevy COE 2 Ton 8'x15' Flatbed
1950 GMC 354-24 2 Ton 8'X12' Flatbed w/Dump Hoist
1953 GMC 454-30 3 Ton 8'x14' Flatbed w/Dump Hoist
1953 GMC 454-30 3 Ton Cab and Chassis
1942 Clarkator 6 MILL-44 Heavy Aircraft Tug
1942 Ford (9N) Moto Tug with 1/2 yard Loader
1947 Oliver OC3 HG-42 Tract-Crawler Bull Dozier w/6' Blade
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | Thanks guys,
With your input, I am planning to go stainless with the master and wheel cylinders. I want to get my parts reconditioned versus from unknown cores. I have a set of CNC bent stainless brake lines complete with rock guards. I don't want to play Russian Roulette with a single reservoir system.
I will be taking the drums/hubs off today to see what I have. Three of the four wheels don't turn by hand, so it may be a frustrating day. I hope the adjustmant screws are not frozen.
Paul | | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 56 | The only thing I've heard is stainless requires a tighter pressfit to keep the sleeve from moving. In a situation were the cylinder wall is relatively thin, that could be an issue.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | I saw one of the wheel cylinders with the stainless sleeve. I didn't have any measuring device, but the sleeve looked to be about 1/16 inches thick. Where could the sleeve move if it was loose in the cylinder? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 56 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 56 | Only within the bore. If the pressfit is correct, it is fine. | | |
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