removal of wheel cylinder nut.

[madaca]

Hey guys I am needing a little help. I am changing the drum brakes on my 65 chevy this weekend. I have never changed drums before. I took off one wheel today to see what I was in for and everything went well but I am having trouble taking off the wheel cylinder. I see there is a nut that is holding it on but I cant seem to get it off. Is there something I am not seeing or do I just need to use a little more muscle. I was afraid to put more muscle into it just in case there is something else holding it on that I am not aware of. Any help is appreciated. I will keep you all updated.

[64GMCHorsepower]

Did you disconnect the brake line at the back of the wheel cylinder?

Are the brake pads off already? otherwise, you will have constant spring pressure on the wheel cylinder, and will have a very tought time getting it off.

[madaca]

The brakes are off but I did not disconnect the brake line yet. Should I do that first? that nut just comes off like normal doesnt it?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

The wheel cylinder comes out through the front of the backing plate, so in turn, the line must be disconnected in order to remove the wheel cylinder. From what I remember, there are 2 bolts on the back side of it holding it on, and it's under spring pressure but you said you got the shoes off already..... Shouldn't be much there at this point, might be rusted in place a bit. Put some muscle into it, not much you can hurt in there....

[madaca]

Ok so I need to look at it again. I see one big nut on the front that seems like it is holding the cylinder in place. You say there may be two nuts on the back so I will look at it again tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback.

[DWright]

i just replaced all my brakes and cylinders. i remove the lines first and then used a small chisel to flatten out the lock-washer, then i used a wrench and pipe to break the one big nut loose.

[madaca]

Hey thats what I was looking for. So I do need to flatten out that washer on there. I knew I needed to do something with that. I will get it tomorrow. Thanks everyone for helping me.

[DWright]

no prob. after you reinstall the nut dont forget to bend the washer back up to the flats of the nut. i've found that a large pair of channel-locks works pretty good for the job.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by madaca

Hey guys I am needing a little help. I am changing the drum brakes on my 65 chevy this weekend. I have never changed drums before. I took off one wheel today to see what I was in for and everything went well but I am having trouble taking off the wheel cylinder. I see there is a nut that is holding it on but I cant seem to get it off. Is there something I am not seeing or do I just need to use a little more muscle. I was afraid to put more muscle into it just in case there is something else holding it on that I am not aware of. Any help is appreciated. I will keep you all updated.

Originally Posted by DWright

i just replaced all my brakes and cylinders. i remove the lines first and then used a small chisel to flatten out the lock-washer, then i used a wrench and pipe to break the one big nut loose.

I read these 2 as 2 seperate things. Madaca is speaking of the wheel cyl that the brake line goes too. Dwight is talking about the spindle nut. Am I understanding this right?

If it is the wheel cyl, then there are 2 bolts on the back under alot of road grim. It's been said before, but break your brake line loose first then the bolts. If you have a line wrench use it or more than likely you'll round the line nut off. Good luck.

[DWright]

sorry guys, i do remember having to take off another big nut other than the spindle nut; i would never use a pipe and wrench on a 1/2 ton truck spindle, if its that tight then you've got problems. the nut i'm refering to is on the inside of the backing plate, facing the drum. i wish i had taken pictures when i did it.

[DWright]

found one. this is for a late 50's but my '66 had the same thing.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by DWright

sorry guys, i do remember having to take off another big nut other than the spindle nut; i would never use a pipe and wrench on a 1/2 ton truck spindle, if its that tight then you've got problems. the nut i'm refering to is on the inside of the backing plate, facing the drum. i wish i had taken pictures when i did it.

if you have too use a pipe wrench on a spindle nut too loosen it there are big issues.

Originally Posted by DWright

found one. this is for a late 50's but my '66 had the same thing.

I left that in my backing plate when I removed my wheel cylinder. Maybe I'm missing the point here.

The first pic is my 65 with a 72 axle I believe the only difference is the width. The second pic is of my 55 front drum brakes. It bolted in like the 65 with 2 bolts.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by DWright

found one. this is for a late 50's but my '66 had the same thing.

Man, I've got to say I've never seen those before. Thanks for the info. Damn, I learned something today.

[64GMCHorsepower]

yeah, me either, I was getting confused on whether he was taking off the wheel cylinder of the spindle nut until I saw that pic

[madaca]

Hey guys the picture that DWright posted is what I am refering to. Sorry for any confusion. I heard it called a wheel cylinder and/or a brake cylinder. Thanks again guys for all the help. I greatly appreciate it

[joe231]

this to me looks like the pivot that the shoes sit against at the top of the backing plate, it is also what the springs hook to at the top...
that holds the wheel cylinder on also??

Sorry I don't have much experience with the front drums...best thing to do with them is chunk them and go with discs IMHO

[madaca]

Yes that is exactly what it is for. It holds the brake/wheel cylinder on. Im gonna get a better tool from work today and have it off this evening. I will go with disc later when I have the cash. For now I am just trying to get it so I can drive her daily. I am moving soon and I do not want to trailer it so I am finishing what needs to be done so I can drive her. Thaks again

[joe231]

cool!!

[DWright]

and you guys thought i was crazy... tisk tisk

[joe231]

Originally Posted by DWright

and you guys thought i was crazy... tisk tisk

If it makes you feel better....I still do

[DWright]

oh Joe, you always say the sweetest things.

[Corts60]

I actually just redid my front brakes on my '60 and ran into the same problem. The wheel cylinders I ordered for a '60 GMC 1/2 ton, through brothers trucks, had the mounting holes for two bolts in the back. But my set-up is the one-nut style.

Does anyone know why some trucks had the one-nut style and some didn't?

[joe231]

[DWright]

so what if my truck only has one nut; it doesn't make it any less of a truck.

[madaca]

Well guys I was able to do the front drivers side brakes. I got a better wrench from work and was able to break the bolt loose that holds on the brake cylinder. I was pretty happy and then I went to the front passenger side and now I cant get that bolt off. These bolts are on there good. I flattened out the lock washer and I am actually able to turn it if I tap it lightly but no matter how much muscle I put into it, the bolt will not break loose. I have drenched it with wd-40 and no luck. I have pounded away with a hammer and even used a cheater bar but still nothing. I am hoping with the wd-40 sitting over night maybe it will loosen it up. I hate it when one bolt or nut is what keeps you from finishing the job. Any suggestion on how to get a seized bolt to break loose? I am tired and sore and will probably be sore in the morning but I will get the darn thing off one way or another. Ill keep you all posted.