In search of quality brake components Early A drum cylinders

Does anyone still make quality, U.S. -made wheel cylinders? Online I found these options for front and rear, for a '64 Valiant. Do I go with Raybestos, Dorman, Centric, Bendix, or Wagner?


1964-66 Valiant wheel cylinders

REAR
RAYBESTOS Part # WC34876 {#2034876} Professional Grade $2.83
CENTRIC Part # 13562008 C-Tek $4.71
DORMAN Part # W34876 $3.53
CENTRIC Part # 13462008 “Premium” $6.24
Replaces: 1L5Z2261FA, 2072632, 2881600, 2881660, 3201977,
3225200, 3461656, 3766689, 5461760, 5473028, C0DD2261B,
C3DZ2261A, D8BZ2261A, F87Z2261AA, ZZP026610.

FRONT LEFT
CENTRIC Part # 13463007 $13.58
DORMAN Part # W34177 $16.93
BENDIX Part # 33242 $17.58
RAYBESTOS Part # WC34177 Professional Grade $18.07
WAGNER Part # WC34177 $24.79
F34177

FRONT RIGHT
CENTRIC Part # 13463008Premium 1” bore $13.58
DORMAN Part # W34178 $16.93
BENDIX Part # 33243 $17.58
RAYBESTOS Part # WC34178 Professional Grade $18.07
WAGNER Part # WC34178 $20.79
F34178

It's a crapshoot anymore. I just ordered Raybestos,,,,made in China. My Centric brake parts are also China.

hard to know really; just be glad you can get anything let alone Chinese stuff

Oh I'm grateful.... but I need some front wheel cylinders and am willing to pay extra for nice ones. The Wagner one seems to be the most expensive, but is it worth the extra cost ($25 - $25 each, vs, $13.58 for the Centric ones).

I can't believe how inexpensive the Raybestos ones are for the rear. Uncanny!

Check with NAPA an see what they may still have available.

I bought the cheapest ones on rockauto, ~$4 ea. I doubt the $25 would be much different and may come from the same factory. More important is changing the brake fluid every few years, or using silicone fluid. Rust-pitted cylinder bores is the main failure.

Very recently bought the Raybestos PG from Rockauto & they were made in USA.

If you have your original wheel cylinders, have them sleeved and never think about them again.

http://www.karpspb.com/index.htm

Thanks all for the input and options.

An ancient thread I know but just thought to share. Just received Dorman W34177 front left wheel cylinder. It will not fit as is. The mounting holes but the cast is bigger than OEM so it interferes with the backing plate. Have to modify the cast or mounting hole in the backing plate.
But congratulations to the chinese, all the other dimensions surprisingly do match

Danarchy said:

If you have your original wheel cylinders, have them sleeved and never think about them again.

Welcome to Karps Brake Service

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Or rebuild them if kits are available. Used to do it all the time years back.

toolmanmike said:

Or rebuild them if kits are available. Used to do it all the time years back.

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That was back when you could find a Tool truck to buy a decent brake hone off of!

JDMopar said:

That was back when you could find a Tool truck to buy a decent brake hone off of!

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I haven't seen one since I quit a few years ago. LOL I kept a few sizes of bead hones on the truck. (rabbit turd) They work the best. The spring loaded stone hones like to fly around the shop if you push them too far out the other end.

toolmanmike said:

Or rebuild them if kits are available. Used to do it all the time years back.

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Yes, I still have a brake wheel cylinder hone, bought at an auto parts. Looks like an engine cylinder hone on a much smaller scale. Haven't used it in decades because new wheel cylinders are <$5, but if faced w/ >$20 prices some here quote I would, since the rebuild kits are <$2. I use silicone brake fluid in all but 1 of my 7 vehicles, so no more rust pitting nor need for periodic flushes of new fluid.