[MR2] Anyone rebuilt a mastrer cylinder before?

[Bob Peitzke]

I used to rebuild master cylinders on my cars. I've got a bore hone that
has 3 little stones mounted on flexible arms attached to the shaft such
that the centrifugal force pushes them against the cylinder walls to
lightly hone them. It is driven by a 3/8ths" drill. I used it on m/c's
and wheel cylinders (remember drum brakes?). 

But I haven't rebuilt one since I first got my MR2 in 1990 - I put 2
M/C's in it over the years, but just bought them from local auto parts
store. They were new, not rebuilt. Seems the cast iron body isn't that
expensive, probably sourced from China. But maybe if I'd gotten the 1st
one from Toyota I wouldn't have needed the 2nd one. There was a big
difference in cost, but like Steve said, it's brakes. Come to think of
it, I think I did get the last one from a Toyota dealer - might have
been 3rd one (memory failing). 

The honing & kit (piston & seals) worked fine as long as the bore wasn't
pitted. If that's the case, I'd wasted time and had to get a new unit
anyway. 

You're right about the bleeding being the hardest part. In recent years,
on all my cars, I've been flushing the hydraulic lines with new
Valvoline Synpower fluid every other pad change. This is easier, as no
air gets into the lines (as long as I don't let the MC run dry), and
while it doesn't get 100% of the old fluid out, it does remove most of
it and the moisture that causes corrosion. This regimen has allowed me
to go more years between full hydraulic system rebuilds, with good brake
performance, no frozen calipers.

Well, thanks for stimulating that little stroll down memory lane, Bill.
Good luck on yours.

Happy new year to all.

- Bob Peitzke

--------------------------
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-----Original Message-----
From: mr2-bounces at mr2.com <mr2-bounces at mr2.com>
To: 'William Brandt' <wbrandt1 at sbcglobal.net>; 'MR2 List' <mr2 at mr2.com>
Sent: Sat Jan 03 11:32:44 2009
Subject: Re: [MR2] Anyone rebuilt a mastrer cylinder before?

I've replaced a Mk I m/c once, the worst memory was the brake bleeding.
When shopping, I could get the rebuild kit for almost nothing, or a new
unit for lots more. Even the parts guy admitted... it's brakes, it
lasted 10 years the first time, just replace it, it'll outlive the car.

Replace it, IMO. It's the brake system, after all. :)

Steve B.
MR2-less 

-----Original Message-----
From: mr2-bounces at mr2.com [mailto:mr2-bounces at mr2.com] On Behalf Of
William Brandt
Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2009 2:08 PM
To: MR2 List
Subject: [MR2] Anyone rebuilt a mastrer cylinder before?

Well, yesterday I got a surprise. Being unemployed since March and going

back to school in 2 weeks, I thought it would be nice to finally fix
that 
pesky s l o w (every 6 months top off) m/c and while I was at it replace
the 
original brake hoses.

I spoke with my friend Ralph Willis at Maita Toyota - I have known Ralph
for 
years and he is an ex factory mechanic with lots of advice - anyway -

Toyota no longer stocks the master cylinder for the 85-86 - don't know
about 
the 87 but Ralph said by the part number it changed a bit - no remans 
available (?????)

But he discovered that there is an assembly you can buy that fits in the

"bore" - he said some honing should be done first to clean out the bore
- 
told me the procedure - anyone done this?

It surprises me because usually a manufacturer will stop supplying sheet

metal or trim before necessary parts -

Wondering if any of you have done this?

BTW the savings would be substantial - a new m/c if available would be
about 
$185 (my cost) - list over $200 - while the kit he said was around $60.

Bill 


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