Wilwood master brake cylinders

[jmsrx]

One of my Wilwood brake cylinders has failed. It is the 0.75 bore with the 1/8-27 outlet. It has the 4” long body. I was checking out the Wilwood site and can only find the compact cylinder (3.4” body). Does anyone know if you can still get the longer bodied cylinder? Thanks!

[Papa]

Have you considered rebuilding your MC?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wil-260-10514?seid=srese1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwYrNBhDcARIsAGo3u33EzuxRuLogv22gLZKP INduHtoIhEVJn5UAhwebz-o0QQjNz9-5h0gaAgPgEALw_wcB

[jmsrx]

Have you considered rebuilding your MC?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wil-260-10514?seid=srese1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwYrNBhDcARIsAGo3u33EzuxRuLogv22gLZKP INduHtoIhEVJn5UAhwebz-o0QQjNz9-5h0gaAgPgEALw_wcB

Thank you! It’s a definite option.

[jmsrx]

Have you considered rebuilding your MC?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wil-260-10514?seid=srese1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwYrNBhDcARIsAGo3u33EzuxRuLogv22gLZKP INduHtoIhEVJn5UAhwebz-o0QQjNz9-5h0gaAgPgEALw_wcB

So the rebuild kits they sell are for the compact body master cylinder. Any issues with using them in the longer body?

[Papa]

So the rebuild kits they sell are for the compact body master cylinder. Any issues with using them in the longer body?

I'd recommend confirm that with Wilwood directly. Do you know the specific part number for the MC you have? Wilwood's site shows rebuild kits for several different master cylinders.

https://www.wilwood.com/mastercylinders/MasterCylinderRebuild

[jmsrx]

I'd recommend confirm that with Wilwood directly. Do you know the specific part number for the MC you have? Wilwood's site shows rebuild kits for several different master cylinders.

https://www.wilwood.com/mastercylinders/MasterCylinderRebuild

I might have to call FFR on Monday since the MCs do not have a part number stamped on them.

[jmsrx]

I'd recommend confirm that with Wilwood directly. Do you know the specific part number for the MC you have? Wilwood's site shows rebuild kits for several different master cylinders.

https://www.wilwood.com/mastercylinders/MasterCylinderRebuild

Turns out that the body is measured to the flange and not the part that extends past the flange and is covered by the boot. Same part they currently sell.

[drewr]

I had the Wilwoods that come with the kit. They failed. I bought the rebuild kits and rebuilt them. They failed again. Some kind of weird corrosion on the rod of the piston. They just leaked. I scrapped the whole lot and bought the equivalent Tiltons, and they work much better. I'm only a few months in, so we'll see.

[jmsrx]

I had the Wilwoods that come with the kit. They failed. I bought the rebuild kits and rebuilt them. They failed again. Some kind of weird corrosion on the rod of the piston. They just leaked. I scrapped the whole lot and bought the equivalent Tiltons, and they work much better. I'm only a few months in, so we'll see.

Yes, I saw many threads concerning the premature failure of some Wilwood master cylinders and many people were switching to Tilton. Did you have to make any modifications to fit the Tilton?
Thanks!

[drewr]

Minimal modifications. They are the Tilton compact MCs, 0.75 bore. They fit into the Wilwood pedal box (maybe I shortened the bolts to get them to seat properly? I'm not remembering exactly. No problem with a cut off wheel). The brake line outlets were different, so I had to buy an adapter to mate with the brake lines. I don't remember exactly what dimensions they are, but it will be obvious when you spec it out. Also, the reservoir hoses are a different diameter, and I just bought an hose adapter and spliced the hose. So you spend a few bucks on adapters and hose clamps. I just replaced the brake MCs. The clutch MC is still the Wilwood, and it works fine.

[burchfieldb]

Minimal modifications. They are the Tilton compact MCs, 0.75 bore. They fit into the Wilwood pedal box (maybe I shortened the bolts to get them to seat properly? I'm not remembering exactly. No problem with a cut off wheel). The brake line outlets were different, so I had to buy an adapter to mate with the brake lines. I don't remember exactly what dimensions they are, but it will be obvious when you spec it out. Also, the reservoir hoses are a different diameter, and I just bought an hose adapter and spliced the hose. So you spend a few bucks on adapters and hose clamps. I just replaced the brake MCs. The clutch MC is still the Wilwood, and it works fine.

I had similar issues with my Wilwood cylinders out of the box. I am attempting to put the Tilton 76 series but you can see the clearance issue in the photo. Did you use the 75 series? Do you have any photos of your install? I am also curious if anyone else has had success with the 76 series in a Gen 3 coupe.

226357

[drewr]

I bought the Tilton 75 series. They look just like the Wilwoods and accept plastic hose adapters on the tops. I had to buy those separately. Here's the link:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tilton-75-Series-Master-Cylinder-Only,413928.html?sku=701750-750

[drewr]

They have the whole schmear for more, but you only need a few of those parts. I just pieced it together.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tilton-75-Series-Master-Cylinder-Kit,413932.html

[Railroad]

Really concerns me. I have Wilwoods on my MkIV. I need to put a cover over my fuse block and peel back the master cylinder boots and see if I need to buy lotto tickets.

[drewr]

Not all Wilwoods fail. It seems like a particular batch did. I got my kit in Feb of 2022. I knew mine were failing because brake fluid dripped on my leg in the driveway. It was coming out of the dust boot in the front where the piston rod is. If your brakes are working and not dripping, they are probably fine.

[defilade]

One of my Wilwood MCs failed as well: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?53104-Wilwood-master-cylinder-failure-and-safety-concerns

Just ordered a set of Girling MCs. I looked at the Tiltons, but the output port is in the back rather than on top and I didn't feel like re-bending my brake lines. The plumbing layout of the Girlings is the same as the Wilwoods.

[burchfieldb]

One of my Wilwood MCs failed as well: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?53104-Wilwood-master-cylinder-failure-and-safety-concerns

Just ordered a set of Girling MCs. I looked at the Tiltons, but the output port is in the back rather than on top and I didn't feel like re-bending my brake lines. The plumbing layout of the Girlings is the same as the Wilwoods.

You have to go with the 76 series to get the output on the top and back.

226424

[defilade]

You have to go with the 76 series to get the output on the top and back.



Yeah, it's still a different layout though, because the output port on the 76 is to the rear of the input. The Girlings are an exact match for the Wilwoods so it's a bit less work.

[burchfieldb]

Got it, that makes sense.

[CW_MI]

I had similar issues with my Wilwood cylinders out of the box. I am attempting to put the Tilton 76 series but you can see the clearance issue in the photo. Did you use the 75 series? Do you have any photos of your install? I am also curious if anyone else has had success with the 76 series in a Gen 3 coupe.

226357

I just went through this on my Mk5 , I ended up grinding the top of the banjo bolt, and ground a clearance notch in the frame.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=226929&d=1773795520

[burchfieldb]

I just went through this on my Mk5 , I ended up grinding the top of the banjo bolt, and ground a clearance notch in the frame.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=226929&d=1773795520

Apparently you can use this fitting, Tilton 76-015 and a right angle 4 AN fitting. This provides enough clearance to clear the frame.

[Its Bruce]

Not all Wilwoods fail. It seems like a particular batch did. I got my kit in Feb of 2022. I knew mine were failing because brake fluid dripped on my leg in the driveway. It was coming out of the dust boot in the front where the piston rod is. If your brakes are working and not dripping, they are probably fine.

Any chance people are just using non-compliant brake fluid?

[drewr]

Any chance people are just using non-compliant brake fluid?

I used DOT 3 or DOT 4. I think DOT 5 silicone is the only one you're not supposed to use. The other thought I had is that maybe they are just super sensitive to dust. I was driving mine around getting it registered in CA, doing shakedowns, etc before it was sealed up. It wasn't super dirty, I just can't think of anything else. There was corrosion on the piston rod. I've had zero problems so far with the Tilton 75s. Here's what the Wilwoods looked like after I removed them. This was after 1 rebuild. They look dusty because they've been sitting in that box for a while, but you can see the corrosion on the rod.

227009

[CW_MI]

Apparently you can use this fitting, Tilton 76-015 and a right angle 4 AN fitting. This provides enough clearance to clear the frame.

Damn, I wish I would have known that. I'm doing everything in 3AN , so that must be why that fitting never came up in any of my searches.

[burchfieldb]

Damn, I wish I would have known that. I'm doing everything in 3AN , so that must be why that fitting never came up in any of my searches.

Yeah, I didn't know either. Another builder told me about it and did it on his car. The Tilton tech didn't mention it either.

[jfrissora]

I just did a flush on my Willwoods and found the recommendation was for DOT5.1, which is a non-silicone product.