Taylormade Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 It seems that my 32 Dodge DL has a one year only brake system and I'm trying to deal with my brake cylinders. The front cylinders have a 1-3/8 inch non-step bore. The rears have a 1-1/4 inch non-step bore. I'm resigned to having the front cylinders re-sleeved as I can't find anything NOS to fit and the bores are just too pitted to hone out. The bolt spacing on the front is also different than the rear. I did find a new set of very nice cylinders that fit the rear bolt pattern and are the same external dimensions as the old ones. The problem is, when I took them apart to check the bores I discovered that they are stepped bores, 1-3/8 stepped down to 1-1/4. For all you brake experts out there, can I use the stepped bore cylinders on the rear brakes? Does the step interfere with the original design or put too much pressure on the master cylinder? If I can use them, it will save me about 100 bucks or more and I'd like to keep the money - but not at the expense of endangering my family on the first Sunday drive. And one final question - if I can use them, which way does the larger bore face, front or rear? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Is the outside of the cylinder the same diameter? Could you take it to a machine shop and have the whole thing bored to 1 3/8? Can you buy rebuild kits? I don't know if an auto machine shop could do this or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 Are there any casting numbers on the cylinder. I have an old Wagner Hydraulics book that might give a number if I can get a casting number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest newbymachineworks Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Hagens should have front cylinders for the DL. Just put a set on a DL within the last six months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirby655 Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 If you use the cylinders with different bore the large bore goes to the rear. Just guessing but if they did that for only one year they decided it was not good. Brakes from 31 to at least 36 are nearly identical on some models. Note when checking my brakes (car came with new cylinders, shoes and drums) I found that they installed a Mercury cylinder with a 1/14 x 1/18 bore. Obviously not compatible with the other three. Any one needing a good Mercury wheel cylinder can have this one for shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) You will upset the balance of the braking system (front/back split) if you put those stepped cylinders on the rear with the extra braking force from the larger piston. It will affect the vehicle's handling. It sounds like you don't like sleeved brake cylinders. Why is that? Edited July 2, 2015 by Spinneyhill (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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