master cylinder???? problem??

[groundhugger]

I have a nice parade looking 62 M-151, On a recent parade my brakes just rather quickly went out... got home and noticed the right rear tire had some fluid on, so took the tire off and brake shoes were covered in grease, I replaced wheel cylinder and both U=Joints on the shaft as one was bad and loaded back up the master cylinder.... the brake pedal still feels like it is disconnected as there is nothing there at all... I did not rebleed the brakes yet and should that be worth a try b4 going through the horror story of replacing and buying a master cylinder... if it sounds like the master, where should I get one?? such a job the way it looks to replace that I want to make sure I have a good new one.... also any easy or smart way to replace the master?? looks like a all day job to me.... I am pretty much a novice mechanic but have a helper that knows alot more than I do and we will get it done...thanks for any help at all...

[Rickf]

You need to bleed the brakes before condemning the master cylinder. If you blew out a wheel cylinder thenthe whole system is empty and needs to be filled and bled. Did you replace the shoes?

Rick

[artificer]

If you have replaced a wheel cylinder & not bled the brakes....why would you be suggesting the master cylinder was bad? Until you bleed the brakes you will not know.

[raymond]

I would much rather replace a wheel cylinder than a master cylinder on an M151

Raymond

[groundhugger]

thanks, will rebleed the brakes and see if that is the problem... tried pumping them and nothing so I just thought it was the master...getting a little senile and need to be riminded about things...thanks and will try and let every one know....

[groundhugger]

well tried to bleed the brakes and it can't be done, then unhooked the line and nothing coming out of the master, so guess it must be the master.....the master was full also... what I have read seems to suggest it is a big job to replace... any ideas on replacing will be appreciated...

[Kurt Lesser]

Patience and 2 small persons to get into areas where the human arm was never meant to go.

The job isn't that complicated but does require patience and time to complete. Drain the master cylinder as much as you can to make less of a mess and if your still running Dot 3 fluid remember that it eats paint so protect your floodboards.

My suggestion would be to do the entire system at the same time, that way your starting from square one on everything. The brake system needs to be 100% reliable all the time. Here's your opportunity and the cost differential isn't that great. Wheel cylinders are usually under $25. BE SAFE

Kurt

[bobtanker]

I just removed the master cylinder on mine this week. I suggest that you remove the entire pedal assemby. Seemed to make it much easier for me.

[fnp43]

There was a post a few years back which makes changing the master cyl a lot easier than what the manual says I changed mine in a short amount of time without crawling under the dash and without taking the brake peddle out. If my memory serves me the first thing you do is take the light switch out This allows you to see eveything only two bolts to remove and the brake line connection Since you can see everything you can move your socket right on the bolt without getting under the dash Granted you will have to get under there to position the new cyl into place Hope this helps

[groundhugger]

Great will give that a try, now if the master cylinder would only come... I ordered from a friend and I still do not have it.... any other place that has a good master and not a chinese clone?? found some on ebay but no guarantee that they are good as they are takeoffs, and with the hassle of putting it on I want a good one.... thanks

[calfowler]

Groundhugger,
I got my NOS Master Cylinder from James Krystal (Ebay seller name jameskrystal). He is only on ebay ocassionally, but also sells over the phone. Their info is; Midway Supply
P.O.Box 153185
Irving, TX 75015
--Our location is 709 Valley View in Irving, TX. Please call Leo 972-399-1532 M-F 11AM-5PM for P/U

Cost of mine was $45.00. They are definitely NOS and still in the package. He has many other items for the M151. Hope this helps if your other master cylinder doesn't work out, or you want to install the NOS on the first time.

Cal Fowler

[Rickf]

For that price I will buy three or four!!!

Rick

[groundhugger]

thANKS CAL, Will call tommorow and order 2 so I have a spare.... thanks for the lead...