TheSamba.com :: View topic - Do I have to remove clips from rear wheel cylinder pistons?

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:38 pm

The Bentley manual says to remove the clips from the rear wheel cylinder pistons before installing the rear brake shoes. It says nothing about putting either the clips or the rubber boots back on afterward. Muir says nothing about it at all. WTF?

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:39 pm

I should mention that we are installing a new wheel cylinder on my '71...

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:42 pm

Don't disassemble your new wheel cylinders.

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:47 pm

it doesn't say anything about removing the pistons, just the clips

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:47 pm

I remember it being a bitch on the '71 I did last. I think that I tried taking off the clips and doing it (as the book said) and it didn't work right. I think it just took the right combination of prying to get the shoes on and all the springs attached. Oh, and another set of hands...

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:52 pm

mackmix wrote: it doesn't say anything about removing the pistons, just the clips

What clips?

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:55 pm

the "wire clips" the ones on the pistons under the rubber boots

Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:56 pm

calebmelvin wrote: I remember it being a bitch on the '71 I did last. I think that I tried taking off the clips and doing it (as the book said) and it didn't work right. I think it just took the right combination of prying to get the shoes on and all the springs attached. Oh, and another set of hands... gonna give it a shot! thanks!

Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:00 pm

mackmix wrote: the "wire clips" the ones on the pistons under the rubber boots

Like I said already-don't disassemble your new wheel cylinders.

Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:04 pm

I assume the Original Poster is referring to p.26 (Brakes and Wheels section)
at item "6. On rear brakes only, remove the wire clip from the wheel
cylinder pistons...". This is talking about the retaining clip you put on as
instructed by p.25 item 9.: "...Then install a wire clip over the wheel
cylinder pistons to hold them in while the shoes are off...", and not about
anything on the pistons themselves.

Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:56 pm

I disassemble and clean ALL new brake cylinders, slaves and masters. What...you think these are built in anything resembling a clean room?

These are heavy dirty industries . Most brake parts are built largely in Brazil these days. It would stun you to see how much dirt and grit are inside of the new brake parts you buy. Also if they have any age on them at all.....the brake assembly paste which is generally coal oil derived...solidifies and does not mix well with brake fluid. Most of this is not a huge deal on wheel cylinders....but its a common failure point on master cylinders. I just make it ploicy to clean them in alcohol and reassemble in clean fluid right before installing. Ray

Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:00 am

Thanks Ray. Good tip

Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:54 pm

i once put on a new ATE cylinder and the fluid i bled out afterwards was full of metal shavings- i could see them thru the glass jar i used to collect the fluid. wish i had cleaned them first. you would think brazilian wouldnt clean them, but germans? clean them like ray said, but dont remove those piston clips

Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:23 pm

How did the brake job go?

Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:35 am

Thanks for all the input folks! I did not need to remove the clips, I did on the old ones to see if it was necessary for the installation of the new one. Turns out its not, weather it is dirty or not inside I don't know. For now, it doesn't leak and it stops on a nickel