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Time to Rebuild the Brakes |
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flejl 
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Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531 |
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 Posted: Feb/21/2026 at 12:35pm |
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Yesterday I was able to do a first round of bleeding the brakes using a "single person" method I never tried before and all it required was a plastic bottle and some 3/16" ID PVS hose, see link below:
I was shocked to see how well this works. I plan to use do another round of the "old fashion" two-person method (one person pushing the brake pedal and a second opening and closing the brake bleed valves) just because I have replaced all of the brake lines and wheel cylinders and I want to make sure there are no leaks. |
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390X2seater
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Joined: Apr/06/2024 Location: Central Calif Status: Offline Points: 789 |
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Posted: Feb/21/2026 at 2:29pm |
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When I rebuilt all my brake system in my AMX, I use the one-man system for the first two rounds and then had my fiance come out and do the final brake bleeding.
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70 390 4spd AMX
2012 Challenger Yellow Jacket 6spd 15k mi 2002 Trans Am WS6 6spd 23k mi 2001 BMW 325ci 5spd 40 mi Past cars 68 390 AMX 70 Mark Donohue Javelin 69 Charger 440 6pk 69 Roadrunner 440 6pk |
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flejl
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Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531 |
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Posted: Feb/26/2026 at 11:15am |
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I was avoiding replacing the master cylinder since it appeared good and was replaced 2-3 months before the inspection sticker on the car expired (I found the receipt), but I think it is best to just bite the bullet and do it now.
I prefer to use USA made parts, but that is almost impossible these days. Also, when I first ordered the brake parts, almost all were made by Raybestos because I recognized the name and thought the parts were made in the USA, but when I received them found they were made in China. My opinion on the Raybestos part quality is they are OK, more or less normal "China quality" and not what I expected. My question is I looked at Rockauto and they have Raybestos and Dorman master cylinders for the car, Dorman is about $52 and Raybestos is $101. Both parts are made in China, and both carry a limited lifetime warranty. So do I buy the Raybestos or Dorman master cylinder since they are both made from China. I am leaning toward trying the Dorman master cylinder and saving the $50, but I am not sure. To me it sure feels like they are more or less the same product, possibly made on the same assembly line, by the same people in China. Please share your experience with Dorman brake parts and your thoughts. Edited by flejl - Feb/26/2026 at 11:48am |
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390X2seater
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Joined: Apr/06/2024 Location: Central Calif Status: Offline Points: 789 |
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Posted: Feb/26/2026 at 12:23pm |
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When I rebuilt my entire brake system in my car totally, I ordered all my parts (master cylinder, new rear springs, brake lines)from a vendor here on the forum and most the other parts for my disc brake caliper rebuild were from Dorman
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70 390 4spd AMX
2012 Challenger Yellow Jacket 6spd 15k mi 2002 Trans Am WS6 6spd 23k mi 2001 BMW 325ci 5spd 40 mi Past cars 68 390 AMX 70 Mark Donohue Javelin 69 Charger 440 6pk 69 Roadrunner 440 6pk |
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flejl
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Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531 |
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Posted: Feb/26/2026 at 3:14pm |
I appreciate the response. I decided to try the Dorman master cylinder and see how it goes. I also compared the picture of the Dorman unit to the one offered by APD and it appears to be the same unit for a noticeably higher price, so I ordered it from Rockauto. I do try to use the vendors here as long as the price is competitive, but being retired I also need to keep an eye on prices as well. |
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390X2seater
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Joined: Apr/06/2024 Location: Central Calif Status: Offline Points: 789 |
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Posted: Feb/26/2026 at 4:01pm |
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I agree 100% being retired and wanting to save money as I'm in the same situation
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70 390 4spd AMX
2012 Challenger Yellow Jacket 6spd 15k mi 2002 Trans Am WS6 6spd 23k mi 2001 BMW 325ci 5spd 40 mi Past cars 68 390 AMX 70 Mark Donohue Javelin 69 Charger 440 6pk 69 Roadrunner 440 6pk |
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flejl
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Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531 |
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Posted: Mar/24/2026 at 9:40am |
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It's been a little while since I was able to get out to the garage and work on the car. I was sick for about a week, and the wife had several doctor appointments, plus some additional family matters to attend to.
I finally went out there and pulled the master cylinder out and now I am trying to figure out how to get the rod out of the old master cylinder so I can move it to the new one. Looking at the new master cylinder and the TSB, it looks like it is held in by what looks like a washer with tabs that stick out and lock on to the end of the rod, but I am not 100% sure and the TSB lacks detail on its removal. Any help on removing the rod and swapping over to the new master cylinder would be greatly appreciated. Thank You |
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flejl
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Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531 |
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Posted: Mar/24/2026 at 10:39am |
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OK, I looked at the old master cylinder and the new one and could see a C-clip had to be removed from the old master cylinder to get the rod out. Once I removed the C-clip the rod came out easily, then I cleaned it up with some carb cleaner and a shop rag, then squirted it with some PB Blaster and wiped it off.
I included some pictures below for reference. The last picture shows the rod, and I tried to identify which parts I believe I need to remove and which I need to keep. The picture identifies where the new rubber boot gets installed, also note the end that looks like a piston goes into the brake booster and it looks like it goes into a matching "female' piece inside the booster. If someone can provide a sanity check for me, I would greatly appreciate it. New Master Cylinder showing the C-clip location  Old Master Cylinder showing where the C-clip was before removal  Rod from Master Cylinder to Brake Booster  Edited by flejl - Mar/24/2026 at 10:45am |
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flejl
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Joined: Nov/15/2021 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 531 |
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Posted: 2 hours 54 minutes ago at 2:37pm |
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I had a little time today, so I bench bleed the master cylinder and have it installed now. I just need to find a little more time to bleed the entire brake system again (maybe two rounds), then finish installing the emergency brake cables.
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390X2seater
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Joined: Apr/06/2024 Location: Central Calif Status: Offline Points: 789 |
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Posted: 2 hours 12 minutes ago at 3:19pm |
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When I installed my new master cylinder and brake lines, I had my fiance come out for a little over an hour and did my brakes twice. I had a set up to do it by myself but it was so much faster having another person. Good luck
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70 390 4spd AMX
2012 Challenger Yellow Jacket 6spd 15k mi 2002 Trans Am WS6 6spd 23k mi 2001 BMW 325ci 5spd 40 mi Past cars 68 390 AMX 70 Mark Donohue Javelin 69 Charger 440 6pk 69 Roadrunner 440 6pk |
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390X2seater wrote: