I've had the South Bend hydraulic upgrade on my truck for about 6 months now and when I installed it I just used the gasket on the master cylinder that they provided. After it wiggled loose a couple of times and the pedal went to the floor I went back and added the factory rubber washer as well. It fit tightly and didn't move nearly as easily.

The truck has probably been like this for four months or so (I'm bad with time, I might be a little off) until today when it popped out and the pedal went to the floor again. To my surprise it had broken the plastic tabs that twist lock into the firewall, leaving me stranded. I called and spoke to Peter and he said that it was too tight against the firewall causing this to break. He sounded like it was a common occurance.

He didn't warranty the part because he said it was installed improperly but he did give me the new parts at cost. I'm not upset with South Bend and he was nice enough to give me the parts at cost the second time around but it does seem like the equipment they provided should have fit properly without me having to add the other washer.

Anybody else break these parts or hear of this?

 

Mine done the same thing. I got lucky and it done it in my driveway.

 

I have not had that happen. I am glad to hear Peter hooked you up with the parts at cost. I know of one other guy on this website that had the same thing happen, but he admitted he got rushed and did not attach it properly...

 

There isn't anything special about SBC's hydraulics. It's just off an older dodge pickup with a larger slave cyl than what came stock on the newer trucks. You can buy the same part from your dealer (at a higher cost). The only thing SB does is provide an adjustable rod to attach to the pedal. I believe your supposed to use your old rubber o-ring because the one that comes with it is too thin. (at least I always have.)

 

I just installed SBC hydraulics a couple of weeks ago, I hope that is doesn't break. That is an expensive part to break and keep replacing

 

Wow............... That was really nice of Peter to give the parts at cost.

 

I'm having this same issue (not broken, just pops out). From what I understand we were supposed to use the FACTORY rubber washer in addition to the one supplied?

Upon learning this, my reaction was the very same as yours, for a $250.00 part they should really consider throwing in the $.09 cent washer to insure it stays cocked in there.

Dunno.

I have my factory hydraulics in the garage, I guess I need to make it a priority to get that other washer in there........

 

As i remember when i installed mine it says add the additional washer if it is loose when you install it. Hope mine doesnt brake now cause that is not a good thing if it comes out driving down the rd and you can not depress the clutch.

 

Mine wiggles out to the extent that the neutral safety switch won't engage to let the truck start, that's when I know it's twisted.

 

I actually thought about taking it out, running a small bead of RTV on there, reassembling and allowing to dry a few days.

I mean, it's not something we should be taking apart every two weeks, so who cares if it is a little tough to get loose when we do need it off?

 

I had a tough time as well installing it. It was tough to get it to snap into place but I got it. You have me worried now, I'm going to have to check it out. Thanx for the post.

 

Shoot, if it was hard to go in, it probably isn't working it's way out.

Mine goes in with VERY little effort, one handed.

 

The units we use to get had a thin rubber washer on the master. We were not sure if all the brackets throughout the years were the same. It was not to read that if it were loose to ADD the washer from the old unit but to replace the washer with the old one. If you use both, it will be too tight and squish itself back out. If you use the washer supplied it will be too loose and fall out. We finally got the factory to supply us the thicker ribbed washer and that is what comes on all the hydraulics now. We now know that the thin washer was never needed and only the thick washer with the ribs should be used. NEVER BOTH AND NEVER LOOSE! They are factory parts and if properly installed they will not break out.

Peter

 

That was my thought when I used both washers. It is now my understanding that whichever washer is in there should be the only one. The SBC part is not to be used in addition to the factory part. If the one provided with the South Bend kit isn't adequate it should be removed and the factory one used in it's place.

Peter did tell me that the new units they're shipping include the factory gasket so there shouldn't be any issues with it in the future.

I want to stress again that I am very happy with the South Bend parts as well as customer service. The washer situation was a bit confusing and I thought I was doing what I was supposed to. It is a little frustrating that it wasn't clear to begin with but they made it right and I thank Peter for it.