Rear Brake cylinders hard to change?

[cjoenny89]

I just had the truck up to the Muffler man and had the exhaust fixed and brakes bleed after sitting for close to 30 years and the brakes worked great but now the right rear is leaking from inside the brake drum I am guessing bad brake cylinder. Muffler man says you have to pull the axle out to get to it and min $40 just to look at it is this correct? I don't have a lot of time right now in my life and that is why I took it there in the first place. I just wanted to run it the last few nice months before we had to put it away! Its been a long time coming.
What are my options here? Brakes worked good when I first picked it up but now pedal is soft and brake fluid at right rear tire on floor. Hard to replace cylinder or someone said it can be rebuilt? swap it out easy and re-bleed it?
This winter I would not mind doing a complete brake system but right now after waiting 30 years to get this completed and dad being 81 I want to put a few miles on it with him. please help!

[swissarmychainsaw]

What kind of truck are we talking here?

Doing a full rebuild of the rear brakes is not that hard, depending on your level of confidence and skill.

Any repair shop should be able to do this job for you if you don't want to do it.

It makes NO sense to me that you would have to pull the axle to replace the brake cylinder.

I would avoid those "Muffler Man" type chains, use the internet and find a reputable shop in your area.

Or DIY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_UXP6GWkw

[cdowns]

you should be able to change a brake cylinder and bleed the brakes and have it buttoned up in a lite afternoon of work// if you have reservations about doing the job a factory service manual cums in hand at about $30 a cheap investment that will b worth having for well over 20years

[cjoenny89]

sorry! 68 c20 327 drum brakes all the way around

[REEDS 72]

Take a up close pic before taking it apart it can help in the reassemble part of it.

[cjoenny89]

should I replace the brake cylinder or rebuild it? The parts place by my house hase rebuild kits for $5.00 each side? I heard you could rebuild those. Am I better off buying new or rebuilding the one that is on there?

[Stocker]

Your C20 has full floating rear axle so your guy is likely correct, you'll need to pull the axle. It's an easy DIY job. Personally, I'd buy a new wheel cylinder, they're not that expensive. But if money is really tight, a rebuild is OK too.


Check this thread, it might help: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=660022

[Baddflash]

If it's a c20 then yes the axles have to be pulled to get the drums off, no where as simple as a c10. Being that they worked there is a good chance it's just dried out seals and a rebuild should work. However new ones are pretty cheap and will speed the job up, not to mention you won't lose as much brake fluid while its apart.

[Matt Cramer]

Yep - I was thinking it must be a full floating rear end. In that case, "pulling the axle" really means pulling the axle shaft, not removing the entire axle assembly. There's six or eight bolts that hold the axle shaft to the hub, then you give it a few taps with a hammer, and it slides right out. That's the nature of a floating rear axle - the axle isn't carrying any weight on either end, just transfers the torque.

[GASoline71]

Rebuild kits might be $5 bucks, but you also have to have or rent a hone for the cylinder. New brake cylinders are anywhere from $15 bucks to $25 bucks usually for a pair.

Gary

[toolboxchev]

c20's with dana 60 do not need to have axles pulled to access the wheel cylinder replacement.

been there, at least on mine. Will be doing it again in a while

[cjoenny89]

I hope to get into it this weekend and let you know what I find out. I may have a hone that small at work but I might be better off buying a new brake cylinder. I will let you know if its a floater I hope the drum comes off easy. does anyone know the correct way I am suppose to push the adjuster to get it to loosing for the passenger side?

[70's luvr]

Take pics of the brake assembly before disassembling..makes it much easier.

[cjoenny89]

Taking pictures!

[Stocker]

Post a few pics of your diff.... Knowing what type it is will help you get better advice.

[cjoenny89]

As soon as I get home from work

[cjoenny89]

Here is the axle that I have

[Stocker]

Looks like an Eaton HO52, same as the one in the link I posted above (post #7). Plenty of pics in that link.

[FirstOwner69]

Here's a link to the factory service manuals in case you don't have it.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=558016

[cjoenny89]

wow that is the axle right there and that is a great right up I hope to use it this weekend thank you very much!
Chad

[cjoenny89]

Well thanks to you guys I have the axle apart and brake cylinder is out and I am picking up parts tomorrow. Brake cylinder comes out without taking all the brake components out. I did take the adjuster out and clean and grease it it was stuck not hard but stuck. Should do the other side now. Thanks guys!

[Stocker]

Glad to hear it's working out for you!

[mike16]

Originally Posted by swissarmychainsaw

What kind of truck are we talking here?

Doing a full rebuild of the rear brakes is not that hard, depending on your level of confidence and skill.

Any repair shop should be able to do this job for you if you don't want to do it.

It makes NO sense to me that you would have to pull the axle to replace the brake cylinder.

I would avoid those "Muffler Man" type chains, use the internet and find a reputable shop in your area.

Or DIY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_UXP6GWkw

on my 72 c10 the drum is riveted to the axle. its otherwise all origonal and I dont want to grind off the rivet. obsessive compulsive; yes. I pull the whole axle. the mechanic may be bs'ing you as well. but look for the rivets.

[swissarmychainsaw]

Nice going!