Need help ASAP with a question on changing rear brake shoes/drum brakes
03-27-04, 06:56 PM
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Need help ASAP with a question on changing rear brake shoes/drum brakes
Need help ASAP with a question on changing rear brake shoes/drum brakes
I changed my rear brake shoes (drum brakes on the rear) on my 85 12a today. The first wheel went OK, the left rear wheel. I put the new shoes on the right rear wheel, but when I went to install the drum, I could not make it align with the lug holes. The wheel cylinder seems to only have 1 working piston. Looking at the exploded diagram in the factory manual, it looks like maybe there is only 1 working piston. And the second one is fixed? Should there be 2 working pistons? And if only one working piston, what is the secret to get the drum aligned with the lug holes? It appears to be hitting against the brake shoe on the side that the piston does not move. So if there are supposed to be 2 working pistons, then I assume that is my problem.
And if 1 of the pistons is frozen, how much work is it to rebuild the wheel cylinder?
Anybody out there tonight have the answer?
I changed my rear brake shoes (drum brakes on the rear) on my 85 12a today. The first wheel went OK, the left rear wheel. I put the new shoes on the right rear wheel, but when I went to install the drum, I could not make it align with the lug holes. The wheel cylinder seems to only have 1 working piston. Looking at the exploded diagram in the factory manual, it looks like maybe there is only 1 working piston. And the second one is fixed? Should there be 2 working pistons? And if only one working piston, what is the secret to get the drum aligned with the lug holes? It appears to be hitting against the brake shoe on the side that the piston does not move. So if there are supposed to be 2 working pistons, then I assume that is my problem.
And if 1 of the pistons is frozen, how much work is it to rebuild the wheel cylinder?
Anybody out there tonight have the answer?
03-27-04, 07:06 PM
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Nikki-Modder Rex-Rodder
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I know all the pistons work.
I think that you are hung up on something. Either that shoe is catching on something, or the adjustment rod is not fully seated on one end, or it's out of adjustment.
Dude, brakes are a PITA, and this is SUPER hard without pictures!
Can you snap a digy?
I think that you are hung up on something. Either that shoe is catching on something, or the adjustment rod is not fully seated on one end, or it's out of adjustment.
Dude, brakes are a PITA, and this is SUPER hard without pictures!
Can you snap a digy?
03-27-04, 07:13 PM
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Looking at the wheel, its the left side shoe that appears to be preventing the drum from properly aligning - and the piston will not move (its seems to be frozen) - so if they are both supposed to work that is likely my problem?
If its the stuck piston, any suggestion for getting it unstuck? How hard is it to rebuild the wheel cylinder?
If its the stuck piston, any suggestion for getting it unstuck? How hard is it to rebuild the wheel cylinder?
03-27-04, 07:17 PM
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When you say "wheel cylinder", I dunno what you mean.
Do you mean the brake piston?
Use channel locks, and squeeze the piston shut, and then install the shoes.
A small "C"-clamp will work, also, though it's more difficult to get in there.
Do you mean the brake piston?
Use channel locks, and squeeze the piston shut, and then install the shoes.
A small "C"-clamp will work, also, though it's more difficult to get in there.
03-27-04, 07:23 PM
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The factory manual calls it a "wheel cylinder", its the "thing" at the top that has the piston(s) that push the "shoes" out against the drum. Only the right piston (the one toward the front of the car) is moving - the other one will not move in/out or turn. The adusting bar is loose (I have it screwed almost all the way in), thus its not pushing the shoes too far out and is not causing the problem.
03-27-04, 08:53 PM
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I do not know how hard it is to rebuild them.
Have you tried penetrating oil?
This is where my experience leaves us. Hopefully someone else can help you soon!
Have you tried penetrating oil?
This is where my experience leaves us. Hopefully someone else can help you soon!
03-27-04, 10:01 PM
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Simple fix if you have air. Take the cylinder off the car, hold it in a rag. Use your thumb to hold pressure against the working piston and apply a slight amount of air pressure to the brake line end. (wheel cylinder, not the car). Piston will pop out. Make sure to hold it in a rag or you will shoot it across the room. Cylinder hone it out and put in fresh seals and you are good to go.
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03-28-04, 12:12 AM
#8
Yeah, the wheel cylinder's pistons *both* work.
If you applied any pressure to the brake pedal when the shoes weren't held properly in place by the springs, then one or both of the pistons moved out on you. They're a bitch to push back in, but that's exactly what you have to do. You've gotta push the pistons back into the wheel cylinder in order to install the shoes properly.
Whoever designed this brake system must've been a masachist, because you almost need four hands/arms to do it. In any case, compress the pistons, and put the shoes on, and you should be good.
DON'T bother rebuilding the wheel cylinder. Seriously. It's much more reliable and easier to replace it. Up here in Canukistan (Canada) it only cost me $30 Canadian to replace the wheel cyl. Compare that to the $15 cost of a rebuild kit and the life expectancy of a rebuilt cylinder... not to mention having to take the whole brake assembly apart again when it goes... Just spend the extra bucks and get a new one. Take my word for it, it's not worth the effort, nor is it worth the risk on a system as critical as brakes.
If you have any other probs, feel free to post or message me. You can also e-mail at vipernicus42@hotmail.com
I replaced *everything* on my '84 GS last year.... a little over a thousand in parts, and all my own labour. Drums in the rear are a pain, so we all sympathize with you. At least you were smart and did them one at a time, taking your time. I dissasembled the brakes one year and tried to reassemble them the next. I wanted to take them apart to unsieze the wheels in case it needed to be towed, but didn't intend on replacing the brakes that year. You can imagine how incredibly hard that spring assembly is to figure out when you haven't seen a working set-up in 8 months.
Good luck, and congrats for doing your own brakes. That's one more thing you can do without having to "trust" a mechanic,
Jon
If you applied any pressure to the brake pedal when the shoes weren't held properly in place by the springs, then one or both of the pistons moved out on you. They're a bitch to push back in, but that's exactly what you have to do. You've gotta push the pistons back into the wheel cylinder in order to install the shoes properly.
Whoever designed this brake system must've been a masachist, because you almost need four hands/arms to do it. In any case, compress the pistons, and put the shoes on, and you should be good.
DON'T bother rebuilding the wheel cylinder. Seriously. It's much more reliable and easier to replace it. Up here in Canukistan (Canada) it only cost me $30 Canadian to replace the wheel cyl. Compare that to the $15 cost of a rebuild kit and the life expectancy of a rebuilt cylinder... not to mention having to take the whole brake assembly apart again when it goes... Just spend the extra bucks and get a new one. Take my word for it, it's not worth the effort, nor is it worth the risk on a system as critical as brakes.
If you have any other probs, feel free to post or message me. You can also e-mail at vipernicus42@hotmail.com
I replaced *everything* on my '84 GS last year.... a little over a thousand in parts, and all my own labour. Drums in the rear are a pain, so we all sympathize with you. At least you were smart and did them one at a time, taking your time. I dissasembled the brakes one year and tried to reassemble them the next. I wanted to take them apart to unsieze the wheels in case it needed to be towed, but didn't intend on replacing the brakes that year. You can imagine how incredibly hard that spring assembly is to figure out when you haven't seen a working set-up in 8 months.
Good luck, and congrats for doing your own brakes. That's one more thing you can do without having to "trust" a mechanic,
Jon
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