Need to resleeve auto brake cylinders

[Karl T Schwab]

Gentlemen: Since this is a shop talk forum; I wonder if any of you fello machinists have "resleeved" automotive brake cylinders? In my case, I have a 1967 Amphicar that has six of them. I can have them done by Whitepost Restorations for about $50.00 each! To buy them new, they are about $135.00 each! I have a Atlas 6" metal lathe and a Sherline lathe and mill; I should be able to handle the job, but I would like to know just how to go about it. Has anyone done it or know where I might go for a answer? Thanks, Karl

[Andrew Mackey]

There are a lot of things to consider before you tackle this job - #1 is liability. If you pay the shop to do the job, they would be responsible for the liability if the cylenders should fail, due to poor machine work, and or material failure. If the sleeve shifts as much as 1/8", fluid flow would be cut off, and the brake would be useless. If the sleeve or cylender split, fluid loss means no brakes at all. If water gets between the sleeve and the cylender - rust will have some affect @ 15-40,000 psi of pressure! Sleeving an engine is one thing, wheel or master cylenders - There is a lot of liability at stake, should one fail.
Andrew

[Rudy]

Years ago when i restored my old Ford pickup, I had the master cylinder and the brake cylinders all sleeved. I sent them away and they came back, and the company that did it did an excellent job. I haven't had any trouble. the sleeves are in there so tight that they can't move and there is no place for water to get in between.If you send it to a reputable company and not some do it yourself butcher shop, i don't think you will have any problems.most of these old restored vechicles don't see much mileage anyway.

[Karl T Schwab]

Thanks Andrew and Rudy; you guys are right; I will send them away! Thanks for the great advise! Karl

[curt dewitt]

I have actually done what you are asking about to wheel cylinders in brake drum style clutches on a P+H dragline crane a guy was reworking, and I bored and sleeved with a thin steel sleeve. I went with a snug slip fit on the sleeves and held them in place with lots of Locktite red and also a brass pin that went from the outside into the sleeve and honed the id. smooth. Worked great, and I dont see any reason why it wouldnt work for a car BUT there is the liability thing as always. So, there is my method I have and would use but I lay no claim recommending that YOU do it to your car's brake system. That of course is your choice. But I will say I choose this method of work as to not split the cast cylinder with pressing sleeves into the bore.

[KeithW]

I have had cylinders and calipers done by Whitepost and have been very happy with the results.

keithw