leaky rear wheel cylinders

[Redtail]

Hi all,
The previous owner of my roadster installed new rear wheel cylinders, but it looks as though they are both now leaking. I am wondering if incorrect installation of the cylinders (perhaps the shims are installed wrong?) could cause the cylinders to leak. I took the drum off and the cylinders sure do look new, so I'd rather not replace them if I don't have to.
In a related question, the shoes are totally covered with brake fluid and will need to be replaced. 510 shoes are interchangable (and cost a lot less) correct? Would it be possible to stick the shoes in an oven and bake off the fluid?
Thanks!

[S Allen]

How are you doing on this project? I am not sure if putting the shims on incorrectly would cause new ones to leak. In the brake section of the main website there is a blowup of the rear weel cylinder that shows how the shims are suppose to go. Were the connections secure? Hopefully they are not cross threaded. Let us know what you find out.

510 shoes do fit. That is all I have used. I would toss the contaminated shoes.

Steve

[Redtail]

Hey Steve,
The car is basically great and running very well (thanks in no small part to the GB dizzy). I drive it to work a couple times a week, and it's all I drive on the weekends. On thursday it's taking me on a camping trip down to Big Sur, so I'll probably look at the brakes when I get back. Other than the brakes, the slave cylinder and hose should be replaced, then just some minor cosmetic stuff needs done - like the dash pad (not minor $$$ though).
Yeah, after looking at the diagram the only thing I can really think of that would cause a leak would be loose brake line connections. I'll strip one down on Monday night and take a gander. And I'll toss those contaminated shoes - It does not pay to cheap out when dealing with stoppy parts. Hopefully I won't have to replace those cylinders

[spl310]

If the PO replaced the wheel cylinders, it is possible that someone gave him 510 cylinders. They look the same, but the threads are different. I doubt that is your issue though as the leak would be on the back side of the backing plate rather than inside. You may be able to get by with just a kit for them. Worth the $5 to find out.

[S Allen]

Sid brings up a good point. It does sound as though your leak is on the side the shoes are on. The connection to the brake line I was thinking about is on the other side. It would have to be leaking pretty bad to get to the other side. Have you actually looked at them to see if they are new? It should be pretty easy to tell.

Steve

[Redtail]

Hey guys,
When I was in there the other day I looked, and the wheel cylinders were pretty obviously new. One of them was missing the retaining ring that goes around the rubber seal at the end. Would this cause the leaking? Maybe the other one is loose too or something. Eitherway, I'm going to get up under there after this weekend and check it out.
Is there a part number stamed on the cylinder that I could check to make sure they are indeed for a roadster and not a 510? Are rebuild kits available from the suppliers? That would probably be the way to go if just the seals are leaking. Thanks for the help, and I'll let you know what's happening after the weekend!

[dbrick]

If you need a rebuild kit for 13/16" cylinders, let me know, may have gotten stuck with two kits and I should have 3/4".