> Here's a tough one:-
>
> I've got 12 brake slave cylinders from two MGTD's. They are ALL rusted
> so that the pistons are frozen in the cylinders. I have tried EVERYTHING
> to get these things apart, including: WD-40, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster
> and molasses (don't ask). They are still frozen solid.
>
> My next step is to get out the blue wrench (propane torch). Since the
> cylinders are aluminum and the pistons are steel, I expect that they will
> expand at different rates when heated. Hopefully, they will release if
> the aluminum expands more that the steel.
>
> Are my assumptions correct? Does aluminum expand more that steel when
> heated? Am I in danger of splitting or otherwise damaging the cylinders
> by doing this? Anybody got any better ideas?
>
> David Littlefield
> Houston, TX
>
David,
Well, you've got a dozen of them, so you're in a better position to
experiment than most of us. I think Aluminum does expand more than
steel, but I sold back all of my materials texts, so I can't tell you
for certain. Let us know what you find out. As another possibility,
have you tried Naval jelly on them to positively dissolve the rust?
I don't know what effects phosphoric acid may have on aluminum, so
read the label first. You might want to thin out the jelly first, as
well.
Scott Gardner
gardner@lwcomm.com
www.lwcomm.com/~gardner
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