Working on the brakes

[fatherdoug]

I bought new "boots" for the '89 today, all around.

The brakes would lock up by just looking at them. I pulled one of the rear drums, and the wheel cylinder was pooched, and completely saturated the brake shoes. New pads on the front and new shoes on the back, and a good cleaning and bleeding should cure the problem.

 

[Beach66Bum]

brakes are always fun suspicious: ) to do.

are you getting the rotors and drums machined Doug?

 

[fatherdoug]

Haven't looked at the rotors, but the drums are worn very little. I'll have to clean all the fluid out of the drums first, but at this point, I don't think so. It will mean an 80 mile trip to get to a shop that will turn them

 

[Beach66Bum]

That's good If you have emery cloth Doug, give the drums a light wipe inside, will get rid of build up (slight glazing) from the shoes.

 

[fatherdoug]

Good idea, Roy. I wasn't aware of that little trick. I have some 3M pads that I can use.

 

[95F350XL]

My parts guy gets drums for like 20-40 bucks each, generic rotors are usually between 14-25 also.

 

[fatherdoug]

My parts guy gets drums for like 20-40 bucks each, generic rotors are usually between 14-25 also.

I'm hoping I don't have to replace the drums. Aren't the drums for 3" brakes a little more spendy than that?

 

[fatherdoug]

Looks like they sell "flange mount" and "hub mount" drums for the rear. What is the difference?

 

[m78]

Flange on a floating axle maybe ?

 

[fatherdoug]

Flange on a floating axle maybe ?

I don't know, Mark. The parts website shows both types of drums for 3" wide brake shoes, which I think are for the heavy duty axle?(full-floating)

 

[fatherdoug]

Got the left rear brake shoes replaced today, which was the one with the pooched wheel cylinder. I used a rebuild kit for the cylinder, figuring that the original cylinder was better quality than one I could buy at a parts house. It took two cans of brake cleaner to get all the brake fluid and gunk out of the drum/backing plate. The drum itself was in good shape with no ridges. I will sand them, per Roy's advice(thank you) and put them back on.

It took me 3 hours to do the job. Some of those spring retainers are pretty stout.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Do you have spring pliers Doug?...or were you using the normal creative ways to remove and assemble?

 

[smokey]

Even with the with spring piers they can be uncooperative at times.

 

[fatherdoug]

Yes, I have spring pliers, but the attachment of the shoe to the backing plate involves pushing a stout spring over a retainer to keep the shoe in place. It's a better way of keeping the shoe in place, but you have to have to have the muscle to get the end of the spring underneath the retainer. What can I say, I'm a pu***.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Even with the with spring piers they can be uncooperative at times.

I agree 100%

Yes, I have spring pliers, but the attachment of the shoe to the backing plate involves pushing a stout spring over a retainer to keep the shoe in place. It's a better way of keeping the shoe in place, but you have to have to have the muscle to get the end of the spring underneath the retainer. What can I say, I'm a pu***.

 

[95F350XL]

I use a vise grip on the shoe to backing plate springs, and the generic spring tool on the return springs. The drums are all slide on that I have seen.

 

[fatherdoug]

That's what I've been using. I got the old ones off. I finally gave up on the passengers side for the night. It looks like the axle seal might be leaking on that side.

 

[Beach66Bum]

I've found that a larger pair of vise grips makes a world of difference Doug, more to grab on to, fits the hand better, if that makes sense.

 

[fatherdoug]

I've found that a larger pair of vise grips makes a world of difference Doug, more to grab on to, fits the hand better, if that makes sense.

So, I guess I need a BFVG?

 

[Beach66Bum]

hahahaha!! yup