Need insight on brake wheel cylinders

[fatherdoug]

1978 F-150 4WD

The left rear wheel cylinder has begun to leak brake fluid, which I want to replace. Am I better off buying a repair kit with new seals and keeping the old cylinders, or am I better off replacing the whole cylinder. I am concerned about the quality of a new replacement cylinder.

Also, I should probably replace the cylinders in pairs, correct?

 

[m78]

I didn't have much luck rebuilding them myself. Smoothing out the inside is better done on a machine.

If one goes the other might not be far behind , but I wouldn't go out of my way to replace the other right away.

Just save the cores , just in case.

 

[LEB Ben]

I'd replace both. I'll also say you'll have headaches with the cheap brands from box stores, I had nothing but fitment issues the last couple go rounds. Ended up just let the old ones leaked until the new ones came in from DC or JBG (can't remember which).

 

[fatherdoug]

Thanks Mark, Ben. Looks like only about $3 difference between JBG and run of the mill parts house.

 

[fatherdoug]

Turns out this was a false alarm. When I had the tires replaced on the rear, the tire shop sprayed so much WD-40, or something, on the lug nuts that they were running out of the nuts and dripping onto the wheel, which looked like brake fluid accumulation on the wheel. I ordered new cylinders before I pulled the wheel off. Oh well, I have them when I need them.

 

[LEB Ben]

Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

 

[smokey]

Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

No truer words were ever posted.

 

[fatherdoug]

No truer words were ever posted.