Wheel Cylinder L and R Differences

[Jack Clingerman]

Hey all, I know the topic of wheel cylinders has come up many times, but after searching the threads, I cant seem to find an answer to this:

I know the front and rear on a side are the same, but what is the difference between left and right?? Could the left BE used on the right, or is there a reason it wont work?

Thanks for any help up front. Stay warm out there!

[teking]

Originally Posted by Jack Clingerman

Hey all, I know the topic of wheel cylinders has come up many times, but after searching the threads, I cant seem to find an answer to this:

I know the front and rear on a side are the same, but what is the difference between left and right?? Could the left BE used on the right, or is there a reason it wont work?

Thanks for any help up front. Stay warm out there!

I just rebuilt my brakes top to bottom with the FORD cylinders. Yes there are left and right. The difference would be you would probably have to reroute your brake line to come in from the front of the axle. Other than that .. yeah I guess they could work.

[kwai]

The orientation of the brake line fitting is what makes them left/right.

[Jack Clingerman]

So is there no way they can be used interchangeably between left and right???
Thanks.

[teking]

Originally Posted by Jack Clingerman

So is there no way they can be used interchangeably between left and right???
Thanks.

Pretty sure you can ... just have to reroute the brake line to come in from the front of the axle.

[Jack Clingerman]

I am just trying to decide if i should buy 4 NOS military style for the right side, and try to modify that, or is it easier to just buy the ford type and do that work. The military ones I found are cheap ($11 each). Just trying to decide which route is the best.

[kwai]

Find someone who has both left and right. Erik's military surplus shows them.

[Don Cavey]

My experience for over 8 years is that NOS is always the same side and never available for the other side. However, the Chinese knock-off ones are available for both sides. NOS is always the best, made by Lockheed Wagner (or whomever USA). Unfortunately, I don't remember which side is out there...

[kwai]

I haven't had any problems with the chinese made versions.

[Don Cavey]

Originally Posted by kwai

I haven't had any problems with the chinese made versions.

I have had two problems with the Chinese.

1. The rubber didn't last and leaked soon.

2. The actuator rod or whatever you call it that pushes the shoes out from the piston in the brake cylinder has a slot that is too narrow for the shoes. If you have an old rod, no problem. If not, you have to open up the gap. At least that is what I had to do.

For problem one, I just used USA manufactured 1-1/16" rubber cups in the cylinders. I guess the USA rubber is better? However, it was about 8 years ago when I first purchased wheel cylinders. I have NOS cylinders, still in the plastic bag for my repairs. Even though dated around 1974, they work well.

Just my experience, yours may be different.