I bought replacment brake cylinders for my 72 chevelle from Autozone. I have front and rear drum brakes. The problem is with the front. I can't line up the brake line with the threads in the cylinder. The angle of the threads on the new cylinder (brake line and bleeder valve) are cut at a different angle. This causes the large nut on the brake line to hit the rear hub (the arm that the spindle is attached to). Also the bleeder valve is so close to it that I won't be able to turn it.

I may have to grind the area but I really don't want to. Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks.

I know................Autozone has really good prices on wheel cylinders, what where they like ten bucks or less. I tried there wheel cylinders once..............ONCE! There not even crappy China quality, I think it's a lesser quality India deal. Autozone has some weird she-it, but they should still fit like the OE's.


For wheel cylinders I would go to NAPA, Carquest, or rebuild the originals.

Good luck:thumbsup:

I used cylinders from Auto Zone on my -69. It was a tight fit, but it was workable. I found it easier to mount the line to the cylinder before attaching it to the shield. That way I could wiggle the cylinder to line it up, rather than trying to bend the line. The cylinders were cheap, but they did fit.

One thing I noticed when I changed the rear cylinders, was that Auto Zone had the same part number for two slightly different cylinders. I got one that was correct with the recessed rubber boot, but the other one had a boot that wrapped around the outside so it kinda fit, but wouldn't really work. I don't think it matters much where you buy them, they all come from a large supplier somewhere and I seriously doubt that any of the large chains will pay attention to "insignificant differences" like that. I would bring the old cylinder to the store, and maybe even keep it for reference.

I decided to take them back to Autozone and purchase a set from a local parts supplier. I'll let you know if there is any difference. I noticed that the ones from Autozone were made in China.

Update:

I received my new Carquest brake cylinders and they fit up perfect. I could tell be looking at them they were going to work. The angles matched up to the old ones and the length was exatcly the same. Needless to say I took they others back to Autozone.

there is your first problem...you bought them at autozone......i wouldnt buy anything from autozone.....yeah they maybe cheaper but if you have to replace the same thing 2 or 3 times because the parts are junk....you really arent saving anything....sorry just my .02

there is your first problem...you bought them at autozone......i wouldnt buy anything from autozone.....yeah they maybe cheaper but if you have to replace the same thing 2 or 3 times because the parts are junk....you really arent saving anything....sorry just my .02

It can be a problem if you don't know exactly what you're looking for and what it should look like. I have had good luck with most of the parts I have bought from our local Auto Zone, but I might also add that it was after I learned who to talk to. And again, bringing the old part is always a good idea.

iam sure thats the case......never really had any luck with them(autozone)....like you said depends on who you talk to...and yeah bringing the part does help....i just dont even shop a that parts store anymore....like i said just my .02........