Expert: Dick Benjamin - 11/21/2008

Question
Its a long story however; my brakes were left open in the rain. I'm replacing it all except the shoes as they don't have many miles on them. I plan to go with silicon brake fluid to avoid the moisture and corrosion. I cant find good rear wheel cylinders. Is it ok to hone and rebuild them?

Answer
Yes, that is a good repair, so long as the bores of the wheel cylinders are not badly eroded or scored.

Wheel cylinders should be available from the old car parts dealers - have you tried Kanter Brothers in New Jersey? - I'm pretty sure they will have them in stock. There are other antique car parts dealers out there also, if you want to do some searching.  Actually, even NAPA may be able to order them for you.

But, I repeat, honeing and kitting them is also OK, if they are in good enough shape.

One caution in switching to silicon brake fluid - you MUST get all the old DOT 3 fluid out of the system - and you MUST change all the soft parts - including the brake hoses.  Once you have done that, you will go many years without further brake problems.  The first car I converted was in 1971, and I'm still driving it - I've never had to do any maintenance on the brake system hydraulic parts since that time, and it hasn't lost a drop of fluid.  The inside of the master cylinder still looks brand new.

Dick