Teach me about vintage datsun/dunlop brakes and rebuilding them.

Hi All,

This is another question about my wife's datsun 1600 roadster.  Our mechanic says the brakes need rebuilt.

Apple Hydraulics says on their website that they can service these brakes. doing the following:

B) Your Cylinder Sleeved and Rebuilt - $145 (send your cylinder with piston) includes sleeving, cleaning all, reassembly with new OEM kit, bleeder seats resurfaced and new bleeder.

I have questions about this.  Am I correct that this would be the parts I have circled on this picture? If so,  how difficult is this to disconnect these cylinders from the hard line and the caliper? Does everything come out intact, i.e. in one easy to handle bit?  If not, is there something I need to do to with extra care to prevent catastrophic disassembly?  Is there a special way to package the parts when sending them out for refurbishing? 

  Is it safe to bead blast and powder coat the caliper after removing the cylinders and sending them out to be rebuilt?  It there anything to watch out for or avoid in powder coating the caliper?  Thank you in advance for your advice.

- JoeyM

Chances are that Apple is pressing in a very thin stainless steel sleeve and using sleeve retainer to keep it there.

This is what I do when I sleeve master cylinders. I've used brass and stainless tubing and never had an issue with either.

If you blast it, be sure you plug the bores and don't get any media in that will damage the surface.

I'm pretty certain the powdercoating temperature  will destroy the sleeve retainer (if they're using it).

FWIW, I've used Apple Hydraulics and they do first class work.

What is the symptom that they need rebuilding? Leaking? Seized?

Unscrew the hard line from the puck, undo the 4 screws on each puck and they will come right off.

We're it me, I'd pop the piston out and inspect the piston and bore for pitting. If they look good, a seal kit will fix it.

If they are seized or pitted, there are plenty of replacement piston assemblies available.  Just match the piston bore size. The aluminum Fosseway upgrade pucks are my favorite but there are quite a few cheaper options out there. Likely much cheaper than having Apple rebuild them

https://mossmotors.com/8777-2-cp-cobalt-brake-cylinder-axle-set

The center portion of the caliper has no moving parts. Blast away, you can't hurt it

Trent said:

...there are quite a few cheaper options out there. Likely much cheaper than having Apple rebuild them

https://mossmotors.com/8777-2-cp-cobalt-brake-cylinder-axle-set

I appreciate the advice on keeping costs down", and wish I was not too chicken to use it. I did end up ordering from Apple just because that's who Sin City Datsun said theyworked with

Your previous advice about getting metal supplies from Metal Supermarkets is still benefiting me

Tracking says we should have the new brake cylinders tomorrow