master cylinder brand

[patrickh99]

What is everyone using for the master cylinders? The Gerdes from Avipro seem pretty common. Anyone using Beringer? I like the anodized finish.

[jaredyates]

I use the Gerdes cylinders. Ask Mark Goldberg if he can still supply them with a fresh going through- I thought his price was really reasonable. As for the anodized finish, there's probably little bling value for something way down there in the foot area, but that would be a matter of preference I suppose.

[whee]

I just ordered and received two sets of Gerdes master cylinders from Mark.

[Battson]

With the Gerdes cylinders - they are certainly good value for money.

My one tip for Gerdes is this: Install new seals before you fit them permanently.

The seals are just basic o-rings, which cost next to nothing, and take 5 minutes to change (prior to final install). Some of those cylinders have been in stock for a long time, and the seals could be like 20 years old, in which case they might last fifty years more, or they might fail immediately. One failed on my install at about 250hrs in service, and that meant a slow leak of nasty brake fluid through the belly of the boot cowl, and I had to do a full drain of the system to complete the seal replacement - this is a lot harder with a closed up plane and quite a "gymnastic" event. Then of course I had to re-prime the system and bleed out the air bubbles.

The brake cylinders see absolutely ZERO wear and tear. You could easily paint them with just basic rattle can chrome if you wanted a better finish, it would never get worn off.

[Mark Goldberg]

The Gerdes master cylinders are now shipped after having all orings replaced and any internal corrosion removed from the ID of the barrel or the shaft. That costs us $30 more (per set), and the price went up (some time ago) for that additional cost. Well worth it. Mark

[Battson]

Thanks for that information Mark - I was not aware of that.

Corrosion is not a problem I have seen. They seem to last really well, except for maybe the old rubber seals. But of course that is no longer a problem!