Vw Beetle Wheel Cylinder Troubleshooting

[@one_mega_ohm9139]

I've been doing my own auto repair work for 15 years thanks to you. Just wanted to say thanks.

[@redplanetindustries5281]

Such a beautiful Beetle in my favorite color.

[@lynnelafleur8528]

Can all 4 wheel cylinders be frozen? My 1970 Bug hasn't been driven in about 5 years sitting in a garage and when we tried to push it out, it's totally immoveable. Can I tow it if the cylinders are frozen without breaking something seriously!!!

[@zx8401ztv]

Loverly job richard :-D The cylinders must be a very close fit, they look brand new so i'm not supprised. If it still failed i would change the spring just under the cylinder for one that's ever so slightly shorter. Or buy another spring and remove say 2mm from the straight ends total. But im a bodger lol :-D

[@RichpinTv]

I was thinking on changing out the DOT 3 fluid to DOT 5 to try and eliminate the hygroscopic problem, what do you think.

[@zx8401ztv]

I admit that i don't know, will dot 5 do any harm to the piston seals or master cylinder seals?. Have they been replaced with modern seals? If not i would stick to the original fluid. Are the brakes becoming less effective the hotter the system gets and that's why you are thinking about water absorbsion?.

[@RichpinTv]

I was thinking that if i switched to a silicone based fluid like DOT 5 i would not have to flush it out ever 2 years like the DOT 3

[@zx8401ztv]

I would give it a go but flush out the old fluid first. Maybe replace the piston seals if they are not too expensive, then it's a fresh silicone system :-D

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

So what do you think caused the cylinder to start binding up? Contaminants in the old brake fluid or something else?

[@RichpinTv]

Good question the only thing i can think of is the shoes are small in comparison to modern ones which might lead to them generating a fare amount of heat.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

@@RichpinTv If that was the case you'd think Beetle brake lockups would be a more common occurrence. I'm kinda wondering if that wheel's brake line is deteriorating internally and debris is making its way to the wheel cylinder. Something to think about anyway.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

That’s exactly what I’m doing right now, new wheel cylinders.