drum brake gurus needed

[seattle gmc]

I pulled the rear drums off my truck so i could splash some paint on the axles hubs this weekend, and notice that the bar under the wheel cylinder is rubbing on the hub and wearing through the bar. I have attached two pics of both sides for comparison. The bar on the passenger side has clearance and is tucked nicely up under the wheel cylinder and looks straight and flat while the other side is bowed out and down. What might have caused it to bend out like that? Should i just take that piece out and pound it flat or should i go about replacing it??

[Ridgeclimber]

I would just pound it flat, or if you can get one easy enough replace it. Its just for the park brake.

[68gmsee]

yep, that's what I would try first. Hammer it straight.

While you have it apart, I would strongly consider a brake shoe replacement. Those looked glazed over and probably not braking as good as they should.

[seattle gmc]

I found this on Rok Auto. But i have a few concerns.


1970 GMC K25/K2500 PICKUP 5.7L 350cid V8 : Brake/Wheel Hub : Parking Brake Strut Price
DORMAN Part # 21149
{#468661} Brake Bar Lever
Rear Left; 11.15 In. Rear Brakes

$7.03

1. It dose not look like the original. Acording to dorman it covers almost every truck until 88 regardless if its a 3/4 or 1/2 ton.
2. It says rear left. They didn't have an option for rear right.
3. my drums are 12"

I looked at the LMC catolog for reference and there are two different part numbers, one for 67-71 and one for 1972.

What do you guys think?? Right part?? I don't mind doing a tempory fix and pound the prake brake lever flat. But i think it will bend out again since it wore a nice chunk out rubing on the hub.

[airdale94]

That curved one is the wrong one. You need one flat and strait like the other side. They are right and left specific. Do you have the Eaton rear end?

[seattle gmc]

Thanks for the reply AIRDALE94, i had a feeling that was the wrong part. Napa and all the parts houses only list that same one for my truck. Im not sure what rear end i have, what i do i look for to tell what it is. Im guessing its just a gm opened rear end???

[airdale94]

It's either a Dana/Spicer or a Eaton. The Eaton has the center section (jug) that comes out the rear (pinion side) while the Dana comes out the front after you take the cover off. I'm sure I have what you need if you can't find one locally. I just swapped out my Eaton for a 14bolt and kept some of the hardware.

If it's your left side it looks like one of these will work.

https://www.google.com/search?q=68%2...en-US:official

[seattle gmc]

Hi Airdale94, i sent you a pm. Im having a problems finding the correct parking brake lever. They all seem to be much longer then the oringal part.

[airdale94]

PM sent. Sorry for late reply!

[seattle gmc]

Has any one seen this type of parking brake strut before, whould you know where another one could be found? The first pic is the original parking brake strut. The next two are the original compared to the only type of replacements that I seem able to find.











Airdale i sent you a pm earlier, Thank you for helping me out with this, i will notch out one of those struts to get me by in the mean time.

[john]

For what its worth in your parts search, your rear axle is a Dana. You cannot remove the drum on an Eaton without pulling the hub.

[ericjon262]

Originally Posted by seattle gmc

Has any one seen this type of parking brake strut before, whould you know where another one could be found? The first pic is the original parking brake strut. The next two are the original compared to the only type of replacements that I seem able to find.
Attachment 1287624



Attachment 1287626




Attachment 1287627

Airdale i sent you a pm earlier, Thank you for helping me out with this, i will notch out one of those struts to get me by in the mean time.

the top one is way wrong. I just had mine apart last week and it should be just like the other. I wish I could help with a source, but I'm not aware of one.

FYI though, if you need wheel cylinders, you'll need 1 ton 4x4 cylinders (1 1/8" bore.) if I can find the P/N, I'll post it up.

[seattle gmc]

Originally Posted by ericjon262

the top one is way wrong. I just had mine apart last week and it should be just like the other. I wish I could help with a source, but I'm not aware of one.

FYI though, if you need wheel cylinders, you'll need 1 ton 4x4 cylinders (1 1/8" bore.) if I can find the P/N, I'll post it up.

What do you mean the top one is way wrong. Its what came off the truck and is the part that im looking for. I dont think that i would have the wrong parking brake strut on both sides, my truck is very complete and very original. I have three or four of the flat stlye parking brake struts, trying to find one that fits, they are all to long to fit between the shoes without being notched.

[ericjon262]

Originally Posted by seattle gmc

What do you mean the top one is way wrong. Its what came off the truck and is the part that im looking for. I dont think that i would have the wrong parking brake strut on both sides, my truck is very complete and very original. I have three or four of the flat stlye parking brake struts, trying to find one that fits, they are all to long to fit between the shoes without being notched.

looked again, and I retract my statement, it looked wrong, but the more I think about it, the top pic does look right.

I bought new wheel cylinders at Oreilly's

part numbers:

BHH WC34474
BHH WC34475

[chewychevy67]

I have those on my dana 44 rear. One of mine was missing as well. I found another just like it on a 70's dodge 1/2 ton truck. They are side specific. I grabed the wrong side first trip to the salvage yard.

[seattle gmc]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

I have those on my dana 44 rear. One of mine was missing as well. I found another just like it on a 70's dodge 1/2 ton truck. They are side specific. I grabed the wrong side first trip to the salvage yard.

Hey thanks for the tip, Last junk yard i went to i left my tools in the truck, because there is usually nothing worth taking. I picked up a tire iron off the ground and pryed the rear drum off of a 3/4 square body and that strut was missing. Pryed on some more drums off but never found what i was looking for.