Pistol wheel cylinders


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Freshly Restored
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Post Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:05 pm

Pistol wheel cylinders

I don't know squat about the K series but a friend has a K-3, maybe, and is having problems with the wheel cylinders. He needs to replace the rubber in the cylinders but can't get them apart. He will probably read this since he's a lurker at this time. Can anyone tell me how to get the pistol cylinders apart? Thanks,

Golden Jubilee
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Post Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:18 pm

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

They come apart in the normal way, but if the piston is stuck, you can't knock it thru like an inline cyl.
If you are trying to rebuild, make up an adaptor and use a grease gun to force the pistons (or at least one) out.

Freshly Restored
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Post Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:59 pm

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

Geoff, I have not seen the cylinder but as he tried to explain it to me, the cylinder curves and tapers down and there's a small rubber cup that he can't get out. As I said, I don't know anything about them. Just trying to help him out.

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Post Sat Oct 14, 2017 9:50 pm

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

Get him to send a picture that you can post, it will help a lot.
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Golden Jubilee
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Post Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:17 am

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

So, it sounds like the large piston and cup are already out?

Dean
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Moved off the farm 33 years ago.
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Golden Jubilee
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Post Sun Oct 15, 2017 1:04 pm

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

a K-3 should have straight thru cylinders, unless your buddy's truck is a dually K-3,

I had the same rocky mountain cylinders in my KB-6, I tried everything, including compressed air,

the only thing that worked is to clamp over large piston so it can't come out making sure the cup is in place, or clamp a small steel plate over the large hole if cup is toast, and like CB posted adapt a fitting to the bleeder opening threads and use a grease gun, pushes it right out,
Last edited by bedrockjon on Sun Oct 15, 2017 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Freshly Restored
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Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:49 pm

Location: Eastern Kentucky

Post Sun Oct 15, 2017 2:29 pm

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

Thanks, I'll pass the info along to him.

Yard Art
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Post Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:33 am

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

I had wheel cylinder problems as well, to easy fix, and buy new ones from a 1948 ford deluxe, fit straight in I know cause I bought 4,two rear, and two front,, I had to send to USA, to buy them but your already there so it's easy, they work great good brakes now, you shouldnt muck around with the old ones just get new cylinders problem solved. Hope that helped a bit. Mine is a kb3 duelly so had 1"1/8 to 1" cylinders same as a 48ford deluxe sdn.

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Post Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:01 am

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

BadBill, do you have part numbers? If so, could you post those in the Parts link at the top of the K/KB page. Thank you for the information.
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Golden Jubilee
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Post Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:14 am

Re: Pistol wheel cylinders

Badbill wrote:I had wheel cylinder problems as well, to easy fix, and buy new ones from a 1948 ford deluxe, fit straight in I know cause I bought 4,two rear, and two front,, I had to send to USA, to buy them but your already there so it's easy, they work great good brakes now, you shouldnt muck around with the old ones just get new cylinders problem solved. Hope that helped a bit. Mine is a kb3 duelly so had 1"1/8 to 1" cylinders same as a 48ford deluxe sdn.


Yes, a K 3 should have stepped straight thru cylinders like you describe,

The OP is describing the cylinders found in K 5 and up trucks,
I'm wondering if he is mistaken on his model of truck or a heavier rear axle was put in at some point
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