55-57 gmc brakes?

[spitfire_er]

i keep hearing how hard brake parts are for these trucks and have yet to find a definate source for gm specific parts.

i have a 55 100 with v8 and hydra-matic. the truck came with a spicer 45 in the box and nothing attached. i now have another spicer 45 (original is junk) or i have a front and rear axle out of a 56 chevy. am i better off one way or the other. or if i could get a brake kit for the gmc stuff that would be cool too but im not sure where to get them.
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[Red Foreman]

I think if you dont have backing plates & drums for the Spicer 45 it may be a struggle to find them. If however its all there I'm sure it can be all rebuilt ie rebond shoes, sleeve cylinders & machine drums. Here's a pic of mine.

[spitfire_er]

did you buy new parts and if so where and what. i have two complete rear ends but the pads are junk and im not sure they can be repaired i might be able to salvage a set of drums and my cylinders look ok.
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[Red Foreman]

Well your half way there, I'm sure you can get the shoes/pads re-bonded at a reputable brake shop in your area. As for the cylinders I used new early 70s Falcon/mustang, they were a straight bolt in, however yours might hone out ok with new seals.

[spitfire_er]

they were both rusted pretty bad so im not sure about the shoes. also what about all the little springs and retainers.
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[Red Foreman]

If the shoes are rotted out I think they may interchange with Bendix style brakes ie early 60s F100 that ran Spicer axle also early Jeep with Dana axle? Same goes for the springs & retainers, there pretty generic, hope this helps.

[spitfire_er]

yeah, thanks.

nice truck by the way. i remember looking at your posts when i first got my truck.
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[Red Foreman]

No problem, thanks for the compliment!