I think the white crystalline substance is corrosion product due to chemical
reaction between the dissimilar metals in the slave cylinder. The brake
fluid acts as electrolyte and over time, the dissimilar metals corrode due
to galvanic (electrolytic) corrosion. You need to use a substance that will
"eat away" the corrosion product in order to get the cylinder out.
Sodium hydroxide (lye as in "Drano") will eat aluminum big time. You might
try a very mild solution of this, but it may cause more damage than good.
Also, be careful because it is caustic and can give chemical burn and gives
off hydrogen gas as byproduct.
techman@metrolink.net
'60 TR3a (in restoration) TS63103LO
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