TheSamba.com :: View topic - Where, Oh Where (1967 bus master cylinder)

Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:43 am

My wife has a 67 micro and I had my 64 converted to a 67 master cylinder. Where in the world are you guys getting master cylinders for these critters? I mean quality, of course, not Chinese. I'm on wish lists but no action for a long time.
I have one German 67 MC in reserve, and when that's done ....

Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:57 pm

This is about as close as you can get. https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211611011Q

They say you need a power bleeder but you don't need that.

Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:06 pm

The ones made of chineseum lately aren't so bad after all. You might reconsider.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:06 am

Did a few 67 conversions over to disc, post an image , I may have an OG lying around.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 6:32 am

Yeah, I'm on the Wolfsburg West waiting list (out of stock).

Curious ... the reply that said the Chinese MC's "aren't so bad". Keeping in mind that a MC might be the critical issue in a life or death situation, does "not so bad" mean they don't fail prematurely? Both circuits don't fail at the same time? They last nearly as long as the more desirable ones?
Just looking for a clarification.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:36 am

doc hopper wrote: Yeah, I'm on the Wolfsburg West waiting list (out of stock).

Curious ... the reply that said the Chinese MC's "aren't so bad". Keeping in mind that a MC might be the critical issue in a life or death situation, does "not so bad" mean they don't fail prematurely? Both circuits don't fail at the same time? They last nearly as long as the more desirable ones?
Just looking for a clarification.

Say you buy some good German tie rods from Meyle of Germany. Guess what, they are made in China, then reboxed in Germany, so some part of the manufacturing process has been completed in Germany, thus it can legally be sold as made in Germany. More than one company is doing this. I got some NOS '90s era singleport heads in VW-Audi boxes that say "made in Germany". inside the rocker area, it has a casting that says "hecho in Mexico" which has been painted over by white paint which is flaking off because it doesn't stick well to the oily coating on the head. I can go on and on about this. You don't necessarily know where new parts are made, regardless of where they say they are made.

Some stuff from China works well, and some stuff from China sucks, like the first versions of the AA pistons. Then they seemed to have fixed that, and later versions seemed to work well. Who knows if/when they will fix that and streamline the manufacturing process and make them less good again. Our cars are full of parts that may fail prematurely. We can only try to keep up with the chatter about what is failing in large numbers and avoid those parts.

With brake cylinders, you can inspect them and see how they look. If the machining inside is rough, then they are prone to premature failure. If the rubber is substandard, same. I don't know how to test the rubber parts.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:20 am

I know about the mfg chaos. I got a set of wheel cylinders where only the boxes they came in were made in Germany.

"With brake cylinders, you can inspect them and see how they look."

I'd kinda have to disassemble a master cylinder to see the the innards. If I didn't like what I saw, pretty sure the retailer wouldn't take it back.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:32 am

I have sold over 60+ China made ‘67 style master cylinder kits in the last 2 years. I only had one that needed to be replaced. Only other issues were install issues, and were resolved without new parts. I get mine from the same wholesale supplier most all of the other vw parts houses use.

Parts and suppliers aren’t what they used to be. Just cause it’s made in China doesn’t make it junk, and just cause it’s german doesn’t mean it’s any good.

Brian

Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:44 am

Brian_e wrote: I have sold over 60+ China made ‘67 style master cylinder kits in the last 2 years. I only had one that needed to be replaced. Only other issues were install issues, and were resolved without new parts. I get mine from the same wholesale supplier most all of the other vw parts houses use.

Parts and suppliers aren’t what they used to be. Just cause it’s made in China doesn’t make it junk, and just cause it’s german doesn’t mean it’s any good.

Brian

Well there you have it. Hard data. Hard to argue with that.

Automakers such as BMW will claim the non serviceable transmission in your new car has a lifetime warranty. And when it breaks and needs replacing they'll then claim that its lifetime is over. Done. Finished. You don't get a free replacement. They DO have clever legal strategies don't they?

So make sure your made in China rear brake shoes are good and well adjusted and your made in China emergency brake cables are in good nick and then you won't feel so bad with that made in China master cylinder potentially failing on you.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:06 am

they are not hard to disassemble, inspect, clean, lube and reassemble. You used to be able to buy rebuild kits but those are long gone. I'm not sure if anyone is selling centric brand, I see IAP brand masters out there under $50.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 12:02 pm

Most new cars out there are full of made in China parts, yet new cars are far more reliable than new cars of say 30 years ago. And yeah, some stuff from China I won’t use, like bearings, other things like front disc brake kits I will.

Thu Nov 23, 2023 3:56 pm

Y’all remember the saying: “Practice makes perfect!” 8)

I’ve said it here in the drambadotcom’s forums hundreds of times and will say it again. China has been copying shit for a very long time and of course are getting better at it! I was a calibration technician and can testify that all the cheap ass measuring instruments coming from china were very accurate. They are just cheap enough that when they may need “repair”, it’s cheaper to just replace them.

On the brakes issue I have this is my experience…. The Dormy has a German Phatchick disc brake front beam which of course do better than drum brakes. However, the ‘68 Plump truck got a set of later Phatchick disc brake beam with a china master but work extremely better than the setup in the Dormy! :?

Fri Nov 24, 2023 5:46 am

Ive been using the chinese 67 masters for years on multiple buses, with zero issues. Been on one bus for over 10 years. And I tend to avoid cheap parts wherever possible, but these are fine.

Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:15 am

Ive been using the chinese master from Brian e's kit for a couple years and put them on a friends also. No problemo, Would buy again

Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:18 am

I found a German Ate '67 master on eBay recently for the same $ as the made in China one (yes that was a lucky find). It was missing the box and the reservoir but otherwise perfect.

I recommend to stay away from aftermarket brake hydraulic parts as a rule, but good to know the Chinese '67 units are useable because when you need this part, you need it, and usually can't wait to find the perfect one.

We sell parts mostly for Baywindow Bus and the 'rebuilt' brake calipers are now all actually brand new and made in China. They aren't terrible but as is almost always the case, they miss the mark with certain details. Quality seems OK.