Replacing wheel cylinders

Jamieg285 · September 26, 2006, 02:50:01 PM

I'm going to have a go at changing my wheel cylinders this weekend. Having just taken some off the spare car, I have the following question -

How do I remove the old ones without ruining the old pipes? On the spare, the hardline twisted as I turned the union, effectively ruining them.

55starchief · September 26, 2006, 03:02:11 PM

No easy way mate, i trust you have a flange nut spanner? As you have found out they eather come out easily or twist the pie ruining it

F Body · September 26, 2006, 03:04:30 PM

As 55 says it ain't gona be easy, try soaking them over night with penetrating oil first

Really depends on how corroded the pipes are in the first place ?

55starchief · September 26, 2006, 03:08:33 PM

Are these new wheel cylinders or are they used? also are your current pipes reasonably new or are they old as if your swapping out for new you would be best to replace any old pipes now rather than later

Roadkill · September 27, 2006, 04:33:30 AM

New pipes are certainly better.

Standard copper brake pipe is pretty cheap to have prepared . . I had a few metres cut and flanged before and had change of a fiver.

55starchief · September 27, 2006, 04:40:19 AM

Quoting: Roadkill

Standard copper brake pipe is pretty cheap to have prepared . . I had a few metres cut and flanged before and had change of a fiver.

I have a bench flaring tool like the autorob stores use anyway

Jamieg285 · September 27, 2006, 05:35:56 AM

Quoting: 55starchief

i trust you have a flange nut spanner?

No, do I need one?

Any idea what size pipe ends I need? I'm guessing it's imperial, but there's UNF and BSF options.

55starchief · September 27, 2006, 05:40:32 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

No, do I need one?

yeah as it grips 5 of the 6 sides and stops you rounding the corners off

Roadkill · September 27, 2006, 05:57:12 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

No, do I need one?

No.

I've never used one.

Most I've done tend to be 7/16" AF . . . But, believe it of not, a decent quality 11mm spanner fits much better - open end, obviously.

The only time I've had this method fail is when the Flange nut has already been f*cked up by someone else.

Note - I emphasise decent quality, as el-cheapo ones will deform slightly allowing the nut to slip . . .

55starchief · September 27, 2006, 05:59:18 AM

Quoting: Roadkill

Note - I emphasise decent quality, as el-cheapo ones will deform slightly allowing the nut to slip . . .

hence the reason you buy a flange nut one which would be the same price as a decent 11mm

Roadkill · September 27, 2006, 06:08:37 AM

Quoting: 55starchief

hence the reason you buy a flange nut one which would be the same price as a decent 11mm

That wasn't the question though.

Quoting: Jamieg285

do I need one?

Answer - No (as long as you have a decent 11mm spanner)

Jamieg285 · September 27, 2006, 06:12:08 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

Any idea what size pipe ends I need? I'm guessing it's imperial, but there's UNF and BSF options.

Roadkill · September 27, 2006, 06:13:57 AM

I'd guess UNF, Mate.

Almost certain in fact.

Do you have any thread guages ?

Jamieg285 · September 27, 2006, 06:20:20 AM

Quoting: Roadkill

Do you have any thread guages ?

Nope

Roadkill · September 27, 2006, 06:24:37 AM

Quoting: Jamieg285

Nope

I'll see what ones I've got . . . I think only Metric and UNC but I'll check.

If I've got UNF I'll bring them on Sunday . . .