Anybody got detailed brake install instructions for this rank amateur?

[Johnny49]

I know there's not a lot to the job, just want to make sure I'm doing it right. Getting ready to get my '49 3100 on the road for the first time since 1984.

Thanks!

[mr48chev]

The best advice I can give is to only take the brakes off one side of the truck at a time so you have the other side to look at if you run into trouble putting it back together.
Other than that. Get out the digital camera and take a couple of photos after you have the wheel off for reference later when you can' figure out how a spring goes.

1. under no circumstances use a blow gun to blow the dust out of the brakes when you get the wheel off. Us old brake mechanics have enough of that crap in our lungs for everyone already. A couple of big cans of brake cleaner and a pan to catch the mess in work great. Asbestos dust is nasty stuff to have floating around in the air, on your clothes and tracked into the house.

2. The shoe with the least lining on it ALWAYS goes to the front side, that is why it is called the primary shoe. Primary/secondary just like a four barrel with the bigger secondaries in the back.

3. Take notice of how the adjuster is set and which end the star wheel is on. It has to line up with the adjuster slot in the backing plate when you are done. Also you want to free the adjuster up so that it screws in and out freely before putting it back on.

I usually adjust the shoes out so that the drum just slides over them so I don't have to adjust them so far with the adjuster tool but you can do it either way. I just found that faster when I was often doing several brake jobs a day. then I adjust them up tight and back them off 11 clicks.

I left a lot out such as replacing or rebuilding the wheel cylinders and bleeding the brakes.

I would take a serious look at all of the rubber and steel brake lines to make sure that they are in good shape with no wear or damage. It would probably be a good idea to replace the rubber brake hoses while you have the truck apart for the brake job as they may have deteriorated over the years.

[OrrieG]

mr48's first sentence is very important. Digital cameras have saved me a lot of shoe soles, don't have to walk back and forth so much. I am also a big fan of laying out a large piece of butcher paper and lay everything in line in the order I take it off. I also keep a note pad handy to make notes, my memory is not what it used to be. An older Chiltons manual doesn't hurt either.

[Johnny49]

See, I told y'all I was an amateur! I took all the old stuff off to soak it in cleaner, since the truck sat for 27 years. Didn't take any pics before hand, but I did keep all the front and rear stuff separate.

But plenty of info there that will certainly help me regardless. Thank you!

Is there such a thing as a book called "1949 Chevy Truck Brakes for Dummies?"

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Johnny49

See, I told y'all I was an amateur! I took all the old stuff off to soak it in cleaner, since the truck sat for 27 years. Didn't take any pics before hand, but I did keep all the front and rear stuff separate.

But plenty of info there that will certainly help me regardless. Thank you!

Is there such a thing as a book called "1949 Chevy Truck Brakes for Dummies?"

oops. I hat it when that happens.lol

try here http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/


these guys lean more towards restoration.

[DPowers]

they look anything like these?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The 48 has Huck brakes. They are different then the Bendix style DP shows.

[Johnny49]

Huck brakes! That's what I needed to be searching for! Found a picture of the front, now on the hunt for a shot of the rears for my '49. No luck yet. Any suggestions where to look would be appreciated!

[DPowers]

http://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=14644

http://photobucket.com/images/Huck+brakes/

[55dude]

whatever you do REPLACE all of the wheel cylinders and master cyl.! you can have them resleeved and you will never have to replace only rebuild them when the rubbers go bad. do a brake "rebuild" thread for the next guy with lots of pictures.

[Johnny49]

Thanks! I will definitely take pics of the whole process. All new wheel cylinders and hoses ready to go. Master is great shape, just rebuilt it. As soon as I have the drums I need I'll be able to go ahead with it...

[OrrieG]

I grabbed all of my Dad's old shop manuals. I will look in the 50's truck manual to see if there is anything on the Huck brakes. If I find it I will let you know.