How old is to old?

[jimmyboi082]

I have a 66 chevy short bed with original 6 lugs still. I picked it up 7 months ago. scince then I've droped a 350 in it and had the body worked done on it not car show quality but enough to question if it's still the same truck it was really bad before. well I'm now on the brakes and i want to keep it drums for now I took the front drums off and noticed that the shoes look brand new. Still has a lot of material on them with no cracks and the wheel cylinders show no signs of leaks. the truck has been siting for about almost 20 years. Should I change the brakes and the wheel cylinders or just clean them down with brake cleaner and turn the drums.

[Clyde65]

replace.

It doesnt matter how fast a vehicle is if it cant stop!

Get it safe. since you will possibly be driving this truck on our modern highways, I would upgrade to disc front. there are vendors on this board that can help you

[samuellg1977]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

replace.

It doesnt matter how fast a vehicle is if it cant stop!

Get it safe. since you will possibly be driving this truck on our modern highways, I would upgrade to disc front. there are vendors on this board that can help you

X2!! Those old shoes get brittle after a while. Who knows - You could get a few miles out of them and all of the sudden, a car pulls out in front of you and the rusty rivets holding the material on the shoe gives out and you have an accident. It just isn't worth the risk.

[gimmy 64]

i would change them. they are to cheep to not replace. just did the back of my 64gmc--shoes $27 all new hardware -springs etc. $7 wheel cylinders $7.99. you can get them at your local auto parts store. got mine from autozone

[LostMy65]

Another vote for you to upgrade the brakes.
At the very least, get new shoes all the way around.
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[markeb01]

I agree with the above input, and also add the wheel cylinders and master cylinder are the most vulnerable components. They may look perfect and not leak - now, but they will likely start leaking very soon. Sitting in one spot for 20 years allows the seals to become hardened, and/or rust to develop in the cylinders and lines from moisture absorption in the brake fluid. Once the brakes are put back in service, the combination of hardened seals or rusty inner surfaces tend to develop leaks almost immediately.

[jocko]

do you know how long the truck was sitting before you bought it? If the stuff looks almost new - and it works - I don't necessarily agree it's a safety issue. Generally speaking, yes, change that stuff when you get a new (old) truck - but that's because this stuff is usually worn to the bone when buying an old truck. When you say it was "really bad" before - I'd be curious as to whether PO was driving it when you bought it? If he was, then there's a possibility those brakes are less than a year old. If you could ask the PO, that might save you some dough. If you can't or they're older - then I agree, replace it all. (yous guys are making me feel like a cheapo...)

[jimmyboi082]

ok I will replace shoes,hardware,wheel cylinders and master. as for upgrading to discs I think I will hold of on that for while the truck is going to be used just for going to work approx. 6 miles round trip need to look good drving to work