Drum Brake Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ol Curt · 01-01-2007, 02:23 PM

For one of you guys out there that still has drum brakes and has put a set on recently, I have to ask if you found any tips or tricks that made it easier to get all the confounding springs back on? This truck has the self adjusters and I think four springs (not counting those for hold downs and such). I have been fiddling with one wheel for several hours!!

kwkenuf · 01-01-2007, 03:02 PM

A brake spring tool helps but is not necessary. I did my rears a couple of months ago, the first one took a while, the second went easier. I've got a couple of pics if you're interested. I've seen much better pics on this board though with new parts instead of old brake dust covered shots.

ol Curt · 01-01-2007, 03:42 PM

Yes,

please send or post pics.

Thanks

Woogeroo · 01-01-2007, 03:54 PM

Drum brake assembly
Assembly sequence for a "typical" GM drum brake
1966 GM half-ton pickup (Delco Shown, Bendix similar)

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake

----

That is showing part by part on the rear brakes, the main difference is the park brake lever.

----

pics of the front and rear drum brakes on my '65 c10 :

http://matraca.home.mindspring.com/i.../05302006.html

----

Another trick is to jack the other side of the truck up and pull the wheel and drum off and see how it is routed.

good luck,

-W

ol Curt · 01-01-2007, 04:00 PM

Wow,

That's neat having the parts painted and such. It makes it easy to identify them. I have the other wheel off. It's making the springs all fit without it coming apart that is giving me fits. I just finished a big bowl of chili ( I do everything better on a full stomach) and looking at the service manual. I have an idea it is the sequence of things that makes a difference. Made a copy of the page and am back out tot he garage to try again. Thanks for the help. Wish me luck!

SkylineNXS · 01-01-2007, 06:39 PM

I had fun a few months ago rebuilding one side of my brakes. Like u said, it s teh sequence. You can get spring puller tools and such but i did it with my dad. I took some time, but so does a lot of things. Two people definantly makes it easier.

Brad

Fred T · 01-01-2007, 06:53 PM

A good set of brake spring pliers is a big help. And there is a huge difference between the made in USA and the made in xxx pliers.
http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=19

layinrocker65 · 01-01-2007, 07:00 PM

I have taken my brakes apart afew times and I just do one side at a time and look at the other side if I get suck. Used brake tools for the springs and that helped the most. Thats all I have to say

ol Curt · 01-01-2007, 08:09 PM

Thanks guys. I finally got the one side on, and the pics were a great help. I think the brake pliers would be a good addition. I'm looking into those.

Woog, as always, your links are top notch!

Bob

ol Curt · 01-01-2007, 08:21 PM

Fred!!
Just when I was starting to buy some parts for the truck, and you had to send that great link to Lisle Tools. Now I'll be spending some money on tools.

Woogeroo · 01-01-2007, 08:27 PM

The spring holder tools are a must, they make things so much easier.

ol Curt - glad they were a help, I needed those painted pics when I reinstalled the ebrake system on my '65, they saved my bacon.

-W

zenish · 01-01-2007, 08:44 PM

i also use vise grips,i use them to grab the end of the spring so i hook it.

poorboy · 01-01-2007, 09:23 PM

You can't go wrong spending $$ on tools. It's nice to have the right tool for the job. It also makes it alot easier.

marvxyz1 · 01-04-2007, 03:15 PM

Use a good pair of vice grips and a little bit of muscle. You can also use cvice grips to install the anchor springs, by openiong the grips about 3 eigth in. an holding the spring down and turning the pin from behind the backing plate.

SIR · 01-04-2007, 03:40 PM

....investing in a GOOD pair of SAFTY GLASSES is one of the first tools you should purchase...those springs will come at you FAST!....

**slepysal** · 01-04-2007, 05:24 PM

A dust mask iis a good idea too.

leftcoast66 · 01-05-2007, 02:02 AM

Sometimes when even the spring tools are hard to get the springs on I'll try and pop the smaller springs into their position I use a flat screwdriver. It was an amazing help last week doin the brakes on my '66

01-01-2007, 02:23 PM	#1
ol Curt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,247	Drum Brake Question For one of you guys out there that still has drum brakes and has put a set on recently, I have to ask if you found any tips or tricks that made it easier to get all the confounding springs back on? This truck has the self adjusters and I think four springs (not counting those for hold downs and such). I have been fiddling with one wheel for several hours!!

01-01-2007, 03:02 PM	#2
kwkenuf Retrofit Management Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 73	Re: Drum Brake Question A brake spring tool helps but is not necessary. I did my rears a couple of months ago, the first one took a while, the second went easier. I've got a couple of pics if you're interested. I've seen much better pics on this board though with new parts instead of old brake dust covered shots. __________________ My retrofit fleet -1966 Suburban 2002 Tahoe drivetrain, firewall, floor, chassis and interior in progress -1965 C-10 shortbed stepside, 2003 5.3/4L60E conversion. Power steering, tilt wheel, power front disc brakes, 2.5/4 inch drop, relocated fuel tank and battery, 2002 Silverado buckets and console. Swap Pics -1968 Camaro 95 LT1/4L60E lots o' mods Web Page -1961 Corvette project Corvette Corrections frame, C-4 suspension and brakes, 02 LS1/T-56, Never ending body workPics

01-01-2007, 03:42 PM	#3
ol Curt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,247	Re: Drum Brake Question Yes, please send or post pics. Thanks

01-01-2007, 03:54 PM	#4
Woogeroo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: tool box Posts: 3,115	Re: Drum Brake Question Drum brake assembly Assembly sequence for a "typical" GM drum brake 1966 GM half-ton pickup (Delco Shown, Bendix similar) http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake ---- That is showing part by part on the rear brakes, the main difference is the park brake lever. ---- pics of the front and rear drum brakes on my '65 c10 : http://matraca.home.mindspring.com/i.../05302006.html ---- Another trick is to jack the other side of the truck up and pull the wheel and drum off and see how it is routed. good luck, -W

01-01-2007, 04:00 PM	#5
ol Curt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,247	Re: Drum Brake Question Wow, That's neat having the parts painted and such. It makes it easy to identify them. I have the other wheel off. It's making the springs all fit without it coming apart that is giving me fits. I just finished a big bowl of chili ( I do everything better on a full stomach) and looking at the service manual. I have an idea it is the sequence of things that makes a difference. Made a copy of the page and am back out tot he garage to try again. Thanks for the help. Wish me luck!

01-01-2007, 06:39 PM	#6
SkylineNXS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 658	Re: Drum Brake Question I had fun a few months ago rebuilding one side of my brakes. Like u said, it s teh sequence. You can get spring puller tools and such but i did it with my dad. I took some time, but so does a lot of things. Two people definantly makes it easier. Brad __________________ 2000 GMC Sierra EXT Cab Short 4x4, finally mine... 1966 C10 SWB Fleet, 250 I6, three on the tree.... Previously Owned.... 1987 Chevy R10 "Silverado" (at least the badges were) Short Step 350 700r4.... 1972 Chevy LWB Fleet 350/350 EXTENDED CAB ALL THE WAY! .._..~...-...._...____ .._..-...______\|_\|__\____ ..-..~.\|_(O)__\|_\|__\|_(O)]

01-01-2007, 06:53 PM	#7
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Drum Brake Question A good set of brake spring pliers is a big help. And there is a huge difference between the made in USA and the made in xxx pliers. http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=19 __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

01-01-2007, 07:00 PM	#8
layinrocker65 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Posts: 521	Re: Drum Brake Question I have taken my brakes apart afew times and I just do one side at a time and look at the other side if I get suck. Used brake tools for the springs and that helped the most. Thats all I have to say

01-01-2007, 08:09 PM	#9
ol Curt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,247	Re: Drum Brake Question Thanks guys. I finally got the one side on, and the pics were a great help. I think the brake pliers would be a good addition. I'm looking into those. Woog, as always, your links are top notch! Bob

01-01-2007, 08:21 PM	#10
ol Curt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,247	Re: Drum Brake Question Fred!! Just when I was starting to buy some parts for the truck, and you had to send that great link to Lisle Tools. Now I'll be spending some money on tools.

01-01-2007, 08:27 PM	#11
Woogeroo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: tool box Posts: 3,115	Re: Drum Brake Question The spring holder tools are a must, they make things so much easier. ol Curt - glad they were a help, I needed those painted pics when I reinstalled the ebrake system on my '65, they saved my bacon. -W

01-01-2007, 08:44 PM	#12
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	Re: Drum Brake Question i also use vise grips,i use them to grab the end of the spring so i hook it. __________________ 1964 c10 short step 1962 econoline van 1989 rs camaro 2006 yamaha vino 125 1975 goldwing

01-01-2007, 09:23 PM	#13
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: Drum Brake Question You can't go wrong spending $$ on tools. It's nice to have the right tool for the job. It also makes it alot easier.

01-04-2007, 03:15 PM	#14
marvxyz1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 106	Re: Drum Brake Question Use a good pair of vice grips and a little bit of muscle. You can also use cvice grips to install the anchor springs, by openiong the grips about 3 eigth in. an holding the spring down and turning the pin from behind the backing plate.

01-04-2007, 03:40 PM	#15
SIR SIR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: grants pass oregon,usa Posts: 658	Re: Drum Brake Question *....investing in a GOOD pair of SAFTY GLASSES is one of the first tools you should purchase...those springs will come at you FAST!....* __________________ 66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66



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01-04-2007, 05:24 PM	#16
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: Drum Brake Question A dust mask iis a good idea too. Last edited by slepysal; 01-05-2007 at 10:31 AM.

01-05-2007, 02:02 AM	#17
leftcoast66 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Covington, WA Posts: 770	Re: Drum Brake Question Sometimes when even the spring tools are hard to get the springs on I'll try and pop the smaller springs into their position I use a flat screwdriver. It was an amazing help last week doin the brakes on my '66

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