[rgwiz]

I noticed a decrease in effectiveness with my factory drums brakes. When I checked the master cylinder brake fluid level I found the rear compartment about a third low with the front compartment about full. The main body of the master cylinder is wet with fluid and noticeable brake fluid drops on the short tubes and valve below.
Question is; can I just replace the master cylinder cover gasket? Or, should I go with a new cover & gasket, new snap cover wire, or possibly a whole rebuilding kit? NOS parts, new parts? And what vendors have the best parts, or can I go to Rock Auto, Heartbeat City, NPR...etc?
And then, keep in mind that sooner or later I want to change over to a power disc kit. But for now I need to stop the leaking.
I did check all lines and found no trace of a leak except at the master cylinder.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[camarodude67]

Its really cheap to replace, Napa/Autozone has them for 40.00 bucks, as you know just bench bleed and install.

Jeff G.

 

[rgwiz]

Its really cheap to replace, Napa/Autozone has them for 40.00 bucks, as you know just bench bleed and install.

Jeff G.

Thanks Jeff,
Why are you saying to replace the whole unit? How about replacing just the gasket, since I want to go to disc later.

 

[camarodude67]

A new dual drum master cylinder comes with new cover and rubber gasket for 40.00 or 45.00. Unless you are using a different master cylinder for drum brakes? I cant see your configuration/car...


The cap/rubber cover is 25.00 and you cant buy that at the local store, so better off just buying the complete master cylinder which is always the culprit in my experience..

 

[allanjs]

Ray, I think you're going to have trouble finding the gasket with out paying ~$20 shipped. Gaskets for drum brakes seem hard to find except through the Camaro vendors like HBC ($$). As Jeff said you can get the complete master for ~$40 or less. Here's a Dorman for $30 + shipping.
https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproduct...R1pCh19GAFvEAkYBCABEgJ1bfD_BwE&ad=47433966132

 

[Matt 69]

Ray, go the the "help" section at your local auto parts store and look for the rubber cover insert there. Not all stores may carry it, but it is available for under ten dollars. Those rubber covers swell and deteriorate over time. No need to replace the whole master cylinder unless it is leaking past the seals on the main piston.

 

[rgwiz]

Ray, go the the "help" section at your local auto parts store and look for the rubber cover insert there. Not all stores may carry it, but it is available for under ten dollars. Those rubber covers swell and deteriorate over time. No need to replace the whole master cylinder unless it is leaking past the seals on the main piston.

Interesting, as well as all the other comments. I know nothing about master cylinders and have never held one in my hands. That's why I am hesitant to remove mine. I guess there's a first time for everything.
My NAPA does have the new (rebuilt) unit in stock. As all have said under $50 and it's local so no shipping. I did check Ebay and there are a few ads for the gasket (NOS free shipping) or new offering whole master cylinders. However the prices are all over the place. I'm thinking to stay away from NOS since they are probably dried out like the one that is causing the leak. As far as the other ads, I can't figure why these guys are all over the place with pricing.
I think it's time to apply the 24 hour rule and think of the best way to fix this. My next cruise night is not until Tuesday.