Another Project on the 71'

[rhabdo71]

On to another part of the truck. Rear brakes and drums.

 

I think I might leave this one to the shop. I don't think I have the correct tools to remove the rear drums. I have brand new rear drums, shoes and the hardware kit to replace. Sometimes when I brake it pulls to the left and the brake pedal feels real HARD. Looks like the original drums check out the pics.

 

One other question, what is the name of that BIG rubber bushing I know it's part of the suspension and where can I get a replacement?:angry: Got a big crack in it . The passenger side one looks okay. Thanks for any advice.

 

 

 

 

[Ken_B]

That big rubber deal is your bumpstop, not really critical, I wouldnt worry about the crack, my 521 doesnt even have em anymore.

[rhabdo71]

:)Thanks for the reply I really appreciate it.

[wayno]

In the past I have cut the bottom half of the 8 off on both sides, it made the back a little less firm. This isn't a critical area, if you lower the truck they would need cut anyway.

 

[jon521]

ya i cut mine in half when i put my 3 inch blocks on, but when i went to put the bump stops back in, i decided that i had enough clearance without them, but i would hit them all the time if i put them in, so i dont have any on my truck either.

[rhabdo71]

Thanks guys really appreciate it.

 

What's the easiest way to remove the rear drums and the front ones too. Thanks.

[banzai510(hainz)]

if your truck pulled I would look at the front brakes and adjust them.

there is a STAR wheel under the balck rubber. One will use a offset srewdriver or screw driver to turn the wheel down I believe to tighten them up.

 

try this first on front and rear and maybe you dont need to take if off.

 

BUT if you do want to remove the drums its best to leesen the STAR wheel to give the shoes soem slack.

521 drums are a pain. I had to get a heaver duty heat torch to heat the drum up then wack with a HUGER hammer as the drum was stuck to the hub, once loose then I could pry it off. But be careful these are cast and can CRACK!!!!!!i KNOW.

 

IF WHEEL CY,INDER IS LEAKY BEST TO REPLACE NOW.

 

I put anti seize on the inside hub surface so thes dont happen again.

[rhabdo71]

Thanks Banzai510 and sorry for responding really late.

 

Yeah, I have about $1000k bucks I've spent on all new parts for the rat truck. Have all NEW drums, wheel cylinders, brake adjusters, brake spring hardware kits, shoes and brake lines. Got alot of work ahead of me:)

[flatcat19]

With mine-the first time taking the drums off was a pain.

I tried everything too. Hammer, torch, loosening, PB Blaster, prying.

Nothing worked.

 

Big 3 jaw puller borrowed from a friend finally did the trick.

I put so much torque on them!

 

Good luck there.

Drums are not bad, if maintained properly, and often.

[rhabdo71]

Started on the front brakes today. So far it wasn't bad removing the drums. I don't want to know about the rear ones yet. That's for another weekend.

 

I removed and replaced wheel cylinder, brake lines, shoes and drums. There was alot of old caked dirt and grease everywhere. Took me longer to clean up

than to replace the parts.

 

Does anyone know if the REAR Brake Adjusters are the same (size/specifications) as for the FRONT? I bought new rear adjusters and placed them on the front.

I compared them side by side and they look identical (the old stock & New ones).:angry: I wish I had pics to show but the old lady took my camera out of town without permission.

 

 

[flatcat19]

I have the rears and fronts sitting right next to each other now.

I think they're the same.

Others will tell you they're not.

 

The fronts fit on to the rear backing plate, and vice-versa.

[DanielC]

I believe the adjusters are the same, front to rear.

 

Left hand thread adjusters go on the left, right hand threaded adjusters go right.

[rhabdo71]

Thanks guys. I'll take some pics tomorrow when I get my camera back. Yeah, they both appear identical. They should work hopefully.

[rhabdo71]

Got my camera back and took some after photos. Here's what I've done. I just have to put on the shoes and drum.

 

I also cleaned up the wheel bearings which looked in good shape. I repacked them with grease. How much grease do you put on them? Inside the hub it is hollow and I only greased up pretty good the bearings.

 

[DanielC]

Here is a picture of the grease packed in the front hib from the 521 FSM.

[rhabdo71]

Thanks for the hub diagram!

[mklotz70]

You can download the factory manual(where that image came from) on the tech page of www.olddatsuns.com