Check Your Brake Components Reminder (3 leaking wheel cylinders only 4 years old)

[barefootin]

I just wanted to pass this on....

During my yearly "in depth" check on my truck I found 3 leaking wheel cylinders. I always pull the inspection covers, push on the wheel cylinder cups and using a pair of long 45deg needle nose I pull down on the bottom of the cups. To my surprise, 3 of the 6 wheel cylinders on my truck had brake fluid in the cups. There was only a little fluid which equated to NO notable drop on my remote reservoir fluid level! I rebuilt all the axles and complete brake system only 4 years ago. For those who do not do a yearly inspection or walk rounds (crawl around) every time you get into your truck, PLEASE start this practice.

 

[rustystud]

I just wanted to pass this on....

During my yearly "in depth" check on my truck I found 3 leaking wheel cylinders. I always pull the inspection covers, push on the wheel cylinder cups and using a pair of long 45deg needle nose I pull down on the bottom of the cups. To my surprise, 3 of the 6 wheel cylinders on my truck had brake fluid in the cups. There was only a little fluid which equated to NO notable drop on my remote reservoir fluid level! I rebuilt all the axles and complete brake system only 4 years ago. For those who do not do a yearly inspection or walk rounds (crawl around) every time you get into your truck, PLEASE start this practice.

Yes you should yearly check your brakes, but having them leaking that soon is not right. Did you buy American made rubber parts ? The Chinese made wheel cylinders are basically junk. The castings are OK but the rest of the components are crap. I buy bulk "piston cups" from NAPA and replace the original Chinese junk.

 

[barefootin]

Don't get me going on current replacement part quality... I'm tired of doing the same repairs due to failed parts or running back/returning failed parts fresh out of the box trying to maintain my fleet. I purchased new calipers for my wife's Rover a few months ago. Everything went well until bleed time... When I cracked the bleeder no fluid came out of the one. During the manufacture, the forgot to cross drill it... The other one, they didn't properly torque the caliper body halves (at least I'm anal retentive enough that I check)...

The tandems that failed were new "Raybestos" wheel cylinders... I had originally rebuilt the Lockheed's that were in the front and reinstalled them (not leaking by the way). The original rears I rebuilt and stuck them on my spare parts shelf. They are now back on the truck and the 4 year old takeoff's are now rebuilt and on the shelf....

 

[clinto]

This is good advice. We rebuilt my buddy's deuce brake system in Sep. 2015 and by Sep. 2016, one of the new NAPA wheel cylinders was leaking.

 

[barefootin]

This is good advice. We rebuilt my buddy's deuce brake system in Sep. 2015 and by Sep. 2016, one of the new NAPA wheel cylinders was leaking.

Thank you...

My point exactly. Just because recent work has been done or a truck has a firm pedal and no apparent fluid loss, doesn't mean all is well...... Ownership is an honor and a privilege and it comes with a duty and responsibility to make sure our trucks are safe....

 

[rustystud]

This is good advice. We rebuilt my buddy's deuce brake system in Sep. 2015 and by Sep. 2016, one of the new NAPA wheel cylinders was leaking.

Those "New" NAPA wheel cylinders are made in China I found out. The piston cups that you can buy in bulk are still made in America. They are the basic 1-3/8" piston cup.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Did you look to see if the springs were tapered? Some have reported the tapered springs work better.

 

[clinto]

Did you look to see if the springs were tapered? Some have reported the tapered springs work better.

They absolutely work better; I'd call them a requirement.

Every one of the NAPA 4419's I've used in the last 5 years has had them and that includes the recent Chinese ones and the older American made ones. I open every wheel cylinder up before I install it to verify it has the correct ones. I'd recommend everyone do the same.

 

[frank8003]

I watch the fluid movin
Can see leaks quick

View attachment brake reservoir IMG_2208 02212014.MOV