Brake master cylinder

Ask and give advice here
Post Reply
User avatar
John Alves
Crankshaft
Posts: 791
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:06 pm
What model do you have?: 58Ghia 68bug68buggy
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 48 times
South Africa

Brake master cylinder

Post by John Alves »

Hi All, I'm thinking of replacing my Beetle's (1968) master cylinder as a precautionary measure as I don't know when it was last serviced.
I have heard all sorts of horrific stories regarding new master cylinders that leak etc.
Would you guys suggest servicing the existing cylinder or have things improved with Chinese parts etc?
Last edited by John Alves on Tue Aug 18, 2020 10:10 am, edited 1 time in total.


No sense being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway.

1958 1600 TP Karmann Ghia
1968 1600 TP Beamish buggy
1968 1500 SP Beetle
73type2
Pushrod
Posts: 987
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:37 am
What model do you have?: '73 T2 Single Cab
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 100 times
France

Re: Brake master cylinder

Post by 73type2 »

Good quality new ones are available from various sources, but rebuilding the original ones by re-sleeving with stainless steel sleeves can be good peace of mind.
Terry Phillips
Fuel Injection
Posts: 2005
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:56 pm
What model do you have?: T3,1beetle
Location: Kempton Park
Has thanked: 193 times
Been thanked: 121 times
Zambia

Re: Brake master cylinder

Post by Terry Phillips »

Most new cylinders come with a protective layer off grease inside the cylinders, I always remove the piston and wash every thing in clean brake fluid then replace the rubbers with a bit of rubber grease. Or just pour brake fluid into the piston and and pump it so the brake fluid flushes the cylinder out.
73type2
Pushrod
Posts: 987
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:37 am
What model do you have?: '73 T2 Single Cab
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 100 times
France

Re: Brake master cylinder

Post by 73type2 »

Good advice, Terry.
Post Reply