A while back, I walked into my garage and found that my 5th gen’s right rear wheel had a wet puddle around it. Turns out that the brake cylinder rubber had cracked, and was bleeding fluid. After inspection, disassembly, and cleaning of the brake shoes and components, I made a parts run for two wheel cylinders thinking that replacing would be quicker than rebuilding.
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Before
I was correct for the most part. I had done this many times before to other make vehicles in the distant past - so it was no big deal. WRONG. I was not aware of the idiotic cylinder retainer ring design, or what a PITA it was to remove. I also thought there must be a better option than this.
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PITA retainer
I utilized brute force to get the ring out, (not gonna give the long version of how) and installed the new cylinder - that came with the exact same retainer design. It seemed a little loose, but I buttoned it up, bled and adjusted everything, and the brakes worked fine. (Although I have only driven the Elco about 50 miles since replacement)
Recently I was doing some research while replacing my Master Cylinder and flushing the brake fluid, and I ran across some information on this forum that was very helpful.
This item was a solution made for the common problem of loose cylinders or worn backing plates. The online parts suppliers want anywhere between $15 & $21 each for these brackets. I found a guy on ebay currently selling them new in box, made by Raybestos for $6.99 with installation instructions, so I bought two.
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New retainer bracket
The most difficult part of the whole upgrade was drilling the two holes for the mounting bolts. Now the cylinders are stationary, and I feel a lot better about the brakes. I was not aware that these even existed, and I am glad I was able to find and install them- I highly recommend this upgrade.
Before
I was correct for the most part. I had done this many times before to other make vehicles in the distant past - so it was no big deal. WRONG. I was not aware of the idiotic cylinder retainer ring design, or what a PITA it was to remove. I also thought there must be a better option than this.
PITA retainer
I utilized brute force to get the ring out, (not gonna give the long version of how) and installed the new cylinder - that came with the exact same retainer design. It seemed a little loose, but I buttoned it up, bled and adjusted everything, and the brakes worked fine. (Although I have only driven the Elco about 50 miles since replacement)
Recently I was doing some research while replacing my Master Cylinder and flushing the brake fluid, and I ran across some information on this forum that was very helpful.
This item was a solution made for the common problem of loose cylinders or worn backing plates. The online parts suppliers want anywhere between $15 & $21 each for these brackets. I found a guy on ebay currently selling them new in box, made by Raybestos for $6.99 with installation instructions, so I bought two.
New retainer bracket
The most difficult part of the whole upgrade was drilling the two holes for the mounting bolts. Now the cylinders are stationary, and I feel a lot better about the brakes. I was not aware that these even existed, and I am glad I was able to find and install them- I highly recommend this upgrade.
