Wheel Cylinders

[TShu]

I've had an ongoing brake fluid leak from my rear wheel and finally dove into this weekend.  Looks like the culprit is a leaky wheel cylinder (and now a torn boot as I got into more).  Are there a "standard" Lotus 7 / Early Caterham brake components or is it just find "close enough"?  It's a 9" drum, 1.75 inch shoes, and 0.75 inch bore on the wheel cylinder.

 

 

[D_Mac]

Is the wheel cylinder a Girling?

 

[MV8]

There have been different axles installed over the years. Pics of the drum and parts would help.

[TShu]

It probably is Girling.  But I can't find a number match or an exact visual match.  It looks just like this the one in the ebay link: Lucas Girling Classic Ford Wheel Cylinder 64677521 | eBay with the exception that my pistons haves slots.   The number on mine is 74350485

 

 

[toldfield]

I bought mine from Moss Motors.

[MV8]

The ebay listing won't interchange with the pistons shown. The bore is unknown so interchange with your forked pistons is unknown.

Dual forked pistons, right body shape, right bore: https://www.burtonpower.com/rear-wheel-cylinde-wc1693be.html

Apparently the 9 inch drum did not come with the larger, 3/4 bore WC in a Ford application. I didn't try Moss.

[D_Mac]

I think Toldfield is right.  Try Moss.  Most of the old british slave cylinders had the same rubber parts with a few different diameters.  

[D_Mac]

That looks just like an MGA or MGB.  

 

[TShu]

You all have been super helpful.  Luckily, I was able to find the same size wheel cylinder from NAPA.  Wheel Cylinder - Right Rear UP 370087 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com) 

 

That was great because I got it quickly.  However...

 

1) In my haste, I accidentally ordered two rear righthand cylinders.  A few checks online and determined the difference between the RH and LH is the placement of the bleeder screws.  Does it matter if I use two RH?  (I'll probably get a LH one just because I'll sleep better)

 

2) Bigger question... My configuration is a break line from the master cylinder into the rear RH cylinder.  Then a line out of the RH wheel cylinder, across the axle into the LH cylinder which then has the bleeder valve on the outlet.  (So a single bleeder valve at the furthest point).  Is that an ok configuration or should I modify so each wheel has an independent cylinder with its own bleeder screw? 

 

 

 

[7Westfield]

#1    probably not, if you can get the line to work

#2   I'd change it      look at the hole where the line(s) go   the bleeder uses a tapered bottom for the bleed screw to seat against, while the line has an inverted flare fitting

I don't see getting a good seal, trying to put a line in that bleeder hole

#3  what thread does your old cylinder have?   it's prob 3/8-24 and a BUBBLE flare  the Honda unit is metric

 

I'd contact Moss Motors, and get the right ones, and do the lines the regular way

 

your can of worms is just opening........

Edited April 23 by 7Westfield

[MV8]

2 hours ago, TShu said:

You all have been super helpful.  Luckily, I was able to find the same size wheel cylinder from NAPA.  Wheel Cylinder - Right Rear UP 370087 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

The wc in the link is listed as having a 0.875" bore, not 0.750".