Master cylinder

[dodjh]

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?

[NoCoWillys]

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.

[Carls_jeep]

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.

[macrisel]

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!

[dodjh]

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.