master cylinder

[No Reservations]

Unscrewed the cap on my ez loader trailer master cylinder today nothing but rusty looking water inside. If all the rest of the brake system is in good shape can I just drain and purge the system and refill and be ok?:pray:

[fishkisser]

Best to go through it from stem to stern ...:twocents:
You might be able to flush it out with alcohol to remove the water and then follow this up with a flush with brake fluid ...
But you will not be able to tell if the pistons or calipers or wheel cylinders are compromised in any way from the water being in the system ...
Here is a tool to help you with your brake job ...
Barney ...:wave:
http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?M=MITYVAC&ID=1432116&ref=GB

[Lead Bouncer]

If it was rusty on the inside, its leaking through somewhere. NO BRAKE SYSTEM can afford water in the system. It lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. Once it boils, it developes air bubbles. Air bubbles make your brakes useless.

The seals on the master cylinder must be free of rust and buildup. If the seals are subjected to the rust or gunk, it will scar the seals.

[Lurp]

Due to moisture in the air a master cylinde will draw water
On cars the heat under the hood helps lessen the problem on trailers the master cylinder is exposed to the elements
Disconnect master cylinder and pump out contents
add brake fluid and repeat until fluid comes out clean
(best fix would be replace master cylinder)
then bleed brakes until clean fluid comes out check for any leaks
(best fix would be to replace wheel cylinders)
if you replace wheel cylinders while you have the brake line disconnected at the wheel cylinder clean out the lines by pumping brake fluid thru them until clean fluid comes out
this avoids pumping all the contaminants from the lines thru new brake cylinders
Best maintenance is to bleed brakes once a year

[No Reservations]

I am new to this process my ez load trailer has oil bath hubs do I need to remove the oil bath hubs to remove the brake hub for inspection I would assume so but if not all the better they seem to have nice clear oil in them. I have jacked the trailer up and have it blocked with the tires off and can not seem to loosen the brake hubs. please bear with me as i am learning
Thanks wes

[fishkisser]

The hubs can be left as is ...
You will need to back off the shoes from the drums ...
Heres a few things to look at ... Barney :wave:

http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearDrums1.htm
http://www.jerrysautosupply.com/documents/DrumBrakes.pdf
http://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/Article/38004/undercover_getting_adjusted__servicing_brake_selfa djuster_systems_on_classic_vehicles.aspx