rebuilding 356B wheel cylinders

[steve wright]

Hi, I am in the process of installing 356B brakes on an early 1960's "special" (more on that later) but need to either rebuild the front wheel cylinders or replace them. Can anyone recommend a parts supplier for both? many thanks, Steve

[marc500]

I looked at replacing some of mine but the cost was very high...I ended up rebuilding them and replacing the rubbers and that came out fine. I've used both Karmann Konnection & PRServices and can recommend them both.

[roy mawbey]

Steve,

Marc is correct the UK suppliers he mentioned can help you with rebuild kits or new slave cylinders. However, its never that easy to decide if the cylinders that are maybe 50 years old should be replaced or kits fitted. If the bores are worn or grooved you need to know exactly how much wear there is so can you measure the internal bore properly?. Brakes are most important of course to be correct.

There are some options now:

You could have the old ones re-sleeved with stainless liners and honed to the factory tolerance and buy SS pistons that are now available and use a new rebuild kit.

You can pay a lot of money for original type Porsche cylinders or you can buy now much cheaper new reproduction cylinders.

I have bought new repro cylinders where necessary and they are working well and look to be very nicely produced.

I only have the experience of buying these parts from www.stoddard.com in the States. I use them because I have bought many items over the past 25 years from them without problem and I am used to their purchasing system. If you look on their website you will see an online catalog for 356 parts. Look under the brake section

I reckon that you should also buy a full set of flexible brake pipes if you don't know the age of the existing ones and likely also metal lines which they also do and fit well.

Of course its probably much easier just to order from the UK suppliers if you know exactly what you want. At least you can prepare yourself by looking at the catalog on the parts you need and see the prices involved

PRS services also do replacement ( like others no doubt ) brake shoes.

In the end, you might have to part with a fair amout of cash. How's the master cylinder?? ( Again best to contact the UK suppliers and discuss the options, these two suppliers have a lot of experience is 356.)

Best of luck

Roy

I

[Mike Smith]

I am not a lover of honing and re-sealing Brake Parts - I have seen too many failures

These failures have not been serious in terms of vehicle accidents but they are serious to the wallet when the fluid leaks all over the Brake Shoes and then, of course, the job needs doing again

We are supplying both German ATE units and those which are coming from the Far East -------- our experience at this point in time is that the Far East ones are more reliable and 1/2 the price of ATE

Roy makes a good point with regard to the Flexible Hoses and I would also urge that you consider a Twin Piston Master Cylinder

With regard to the Hard Lines - we always use Cupro/Nickel
(Steel Corrodes and Copper Work Hardens)

Unfortunately, like many jobs on a 356, it does cost money, but carried out correctly, you will probably never do it again

[steve wright]

thanks guys, I got straight on the phone and ended up buying all new (repro) fronts from PRS - thanks Paul!

Hi Roy - hope the blue beauty is still running well, lovely car BTW. I had already bought new shoes and hoses so can tick that one off the list. The Special runs a Ford 100E hydraulic clutch and brake twin master cylinder set up with a integral reservoir attached to the top of the pedal cluster. Not being a Ford man, I just checked it out, changed the fluid and bled the brakes. seems to be working fine but I think we'll take it gently for the first few hundred miles! anyway, don't want to spoil the surprise with the Special - will post a new thread shortly on the car.

kind regards,
Steve