Topic: Brake master cylinder, rusty c-clip

[Patrick]

Anybody have any good ideas on how to remove the c-clip that holds the innards of the master cylinder in place when the c-clip has rusted into the groove? I can't budge it with my Craftsman pick. What can I dip this into that dissolves rust but not whatever metal this master is made of?

Thanks,
Patrick

[Bob Wessner]

PB Blaster or some other penetrant. There is a thread here someplace about a mixture of acetone and ATF being effective as well, whatever, just let it sit in there for a day or so. Cir-clip pliers might be better than just a pick as it compresses the ends together.

[Patrick]

I actually have several pairs of c-clip pliers, Bob, but these clips do not appear to have any holes in them. They are annoying me. They've been in PB Blaster for about 24 hours now to no avail....

[eurban]

They do have holes in them unless they are totally rusted to sh**.  Use a sharp pick to dig around in the areas where the clip ends.  Once you find the spots, a drill bit carefully applied might help.

[tomkimberly]

There are two clips, the outer one is to hold the rubber boot in-place and it needs to be removed before exposing the "E" clip. The outer clip has no holes and can be a real *itch to remove. The "E" clip is easy with the proper snap-ring pliers.

Tom

[bryanj]

Sorry but "easy with the proper snap ring pliers" made me laugh! Never yet found an easy one
Method i have perfected over the years is remove the boot ond wire clip theen hold the master in a vice with the piston end facing up soak it in whatever for a few hours the using a big flame torch (plumbers/cutting etc NOT welding) play the flame down the hole till the casing is warm----CAREFUL IT DONT TAKE LONG. This will remove the rust from the clip and loosen the corrosion in the groove so you can get the clip out withsnap ring pliers.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS get a master repair "KIT" before stsrting.

[Red750K1]

As for the rust I'd go with PB blaster or some of this stuff called Kroil "the oil that creeps", I use it to clean and lube my rifles but it works awsome on little rusty bugger bolts n' such. For the cir-clip I got a pair of the cir-clip pliars from harbor freight, realy cheap crappy ones but ground down the points really skinny and then they will slip between the piston and the wall of the master cyl. no problem!   try it!