86_RedRider

I can get a Cardone master cylinder for $58, has anyone had any experience with this brand?

Heck, for the price I can buy almost 3 master's for the price of one Wagner or Raybestos.

Thanks

RacerX70CC

From my years of experience in the auto repair field I can tell you without hesitation that Cardone products are J U N K!

CentralCoaster

That's not a coincidence.

86_RedRider

thanks, i ordered a wagner first, but rockauto says they don't make them anymore. so a raybestos has already been shipped out and on it's way.

JLeatherman

The Cardone also doesn't come with reservoirs attached and they are a P I T A.

'Shifter

I sell A-1 Cardone and Raybestos...believe me when I say that you don't want to trust a rebuilt (poorly at that) piece of life-saving equipment. A water pump, yeah, O.K., it goes out and it's a bummer, but a master cylinder failing at teh wrong time could cost you more than a few bucks...

VenkmanP

I have had many A1 Cardone products on many cars and have no complaints.

However, I think the prices you mentioned above are comparing a reman product with new ones.

If this is for your 86, a new GM master cylinder is about $100. Brake M/C is not the place to save $40.

CentralCoaster

I bought a Cardone steering rack, and a more expensive rack from a local rebuilder and compared them side by side. (nobody sells new racks)


The Cardone rack had scratched shafts right out of the box, had assembly lube smeared on it that was spraypainted over. It was also incorrectly labeled and boxed.

The local one looked to be in perfect shape, and was the correct part.


Guess which one got sent back? Cardone has ZERO quality control.

Road Agent

Pete K

Cardone can afford to be cheaper than the rest. Based on my experience, I think the pluck them from the boneyard and spray paint them a tacky blue. Maybe they wipe them with a dirty rag first ,
then paint them.

LD85

In case you are looking for a booster $129.00
http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/product341.html

champs65

[QUOTE=Vis Croceus;1559611669]I

If this is for your 86, a new GM master cylinder is about $100.QUOTE]

Would this be from a dealership? GM Parts Direct shows it being $173 for my '85.

I will be changing the master cylinder this week, and have been shopping prices on the net today. Advance Auto shows a Bendix model for $148 complete with the reservoirs.

Any opinions on the Bendix??

JLeatherman

I just picked up a brand new Delco M/C from eBay for $115 and free shipping. It's on the car and works great

VetNutJim

I totally agree the MC is, of course, a critical part of the braking system.

But..... it is a HIGHLY SIMPLE device.
A cylinder, a piston, a spring and a couple of seals. There's really nothing more inside the little buggers.
No magic dust, really no really critical clearances.

Being the curious sort that I am, I'd like to ask a question or two....

What part of the Cardone MC varies in it's specifications so far from the tolerances of those by other manufactuers that make it is called 'junk'?

Those who posted with the worst opinion of them, what failure modes have you personally experienced that have been the DIRECT results of faulty MC design, assembly or material?

That's the kind of info that one can use to make a real buying decision on.

CentralCoaster

You've obviously never taken one apart.

It's a piece where quality control is very important. A cheaper one may work fine out of the box for 6 months, or 2 years, but it's a gamble. The bore finishing, seals, and assembly are something you don't want a Chinese slave doing.

I've had enough bad experiences with other Cardone branded parts. I'll pass on the 1st hand experience of a bad brake cylinder.

VetNutJim

There's NO need to get 'snippy', I'm just asking logical questions because I find it rather boring to just take 'old wive tale' testimony as factual without any supporting evidence or scientific facts.
First hand experience rates high on my credibility scale.
So instead of taking a 'cheap shot' how about getting with the program and give me some REAL facts.
Then I'll be impressed with your technical 'prowess' and you'll have given all some truly valuable info.
Fighting and squabbling over something like this is going to accomplish what???????

Can you post the details of all the parts inside the Master Cylinders you've dissected?
Obviously, you've found a LOT more things inside YOURS.
Fill me in on all that's REALLY in there please.

I believe..... that I SAID the MC is an important part;
I totally agree the MC is, of course, a critical part of the braking system.
BTW....There's ALWAYS a gamble a NEW part won't perform as it should. There's no HISTORY of a NEW part operating correctly.

What's the RA on the part mentioned VS. YOUR favorite brand?

Are the seals made of a different material or mixture of materials that differ drastically from a Wagner or Raybestos seal?

Good God man, I do believe I can assemble block Chevy with a blind fold on if someone will read the torque wrench for me.
I hate the balance of trade probably more than most folks here but can we get realistic and deal with the SCIENTIFIC facts to support the case that it takes a SKILLED laborer to install a couple of o-rings and and a snap-ring on a master cylinder?
I'd just about take a bet that I could assemble one with my TOES ALONE.

So you've had experience with "other" parts....but NOT the MC.
I believe at this point Denny Crane would say "Objection, Heresay testimony by the witness your honor."

BTW.....Does Raybestos and Wagner use ALL USA made parts in their brake assemblies?
Are those PARTS and BRAKE COMPONENTS ALL made inside the contigous US and are the components ASSEMBLED inside the US by SKILLED US Workers and tested by SKILLED US Quality Control personnel?

There's PLENTY of parts on YOUR Corvette that were made by UNSKILLED FOREIGN labor.
Folks, face it, N-O-T-H-I-N-G is made HERE in the U.S. by US anymore.

JLeatherman

As I said earlier, my problem with the Cardone MC is that it didn't come with the reservoirs. I tried unsuccessfully to transfer my reservoirs over and tore the bushings. I ordered two sets of bushings from Zips and tried two more times, tearing all 4 bushings in the process. At that point I was aggravated enough to buy a Delco MC with the reservoirs already attached and ready to go.

CentralCoaster

Your post has snippy written all over it. I'm trying to help the thread starter.

If you want answers to your other questions, hire Magnum P.I. as I'm not going to bother reading it.

VenkmanP

VetNutJim

Is there a special tool that makes the reservoir installation easier?

GM just LOVES to say 'Use the Kent Moore JP-452345 to install the reservoirs".

Most of us McGiver types find something in the kitchen drawer to get around the lunacy but that's a hit or miss deal.
The hit or miss part comes into play when the wifey hits you or misses ya for using 'her' silverware to work on your car.

I'd pay a few bux more to get new reservoirs.
Don't know if I'd make the jump from 58 to 108 though.