My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: dodjh on August 01, 2012, 07:14:58 PM

Title: Master cylinder
Post by: dodjh on August 01, 2012, 07:14:58 PM
I've been reading about our brake M/C's on the different threads.

My m/c is empty---bone dry....I did rub my finger around in it and got some soft mush on it.

Shouldn't I fill the M/C up to find where it is leaking before pulling it off to clean/rebuild?
Title: Re:  Master cylinder
Post by: NoCoWillys on August 01, 2012, 11:15:57 PM
Mine was like that but it was also fairly rusty.  If I were you, I'd just trash it and buy a new one.  At less that $50 bucks, that's what I did.  Brakes is one thing I don't want giving out on me.
Title: Re:  Master cylinder
Post by: Carls_jeep on August 01, 2012, 11:31:54 PM
YES, if it is that dry and been that way a while it should be replaced and you need to find where the system is leaking the fluid. It could be a line, a fitting or a wheel cylinder.
Title: Re:  Master cylinder
Post by: macrisel on August 02, 2012, 10:02:07 AM
I hate to the the bearer of bad news, but I would take a hard look at the entire brake system including:  master cylinder, lines, fittings, rubber hoses, wheel cylinders, shoes, drums, etc.

While you may not have to replace the entire system, be prepared to.  On these old systems, when you "fix" one component another problem becomes more evident.  Walcks sell a great overhaul kit that includes everything except the steel lines....which they sell as a seperate kit.  Total cost is around $800-900 depending on sale prices at the time of order.  I used them and the quality and fit was great.

Good luck and don't skimp on safety!
Title: Re:  Master cylinder
Post by: dodjh on August 02, 2012, 08:53:06 PM
Thank you for all the sound and wise advice!  I'll just break down the system and see how everything looks.

If I do it right, shouldn't have to do it again.