It started with the wheel cylinder leaking....

[EMD_DRIVER]

I pulled the right-rear drum on my 93 today, so I could change out the wheel cylinder. WHen I got the drum off, I found a broken brake shoe hold down spring on the front shoe and the adjusting lever cable is frayed. The bottom of the adjusting lever cable is also twisted beyond recognition.

I also found that my 3/8"-7/16" line wrench won't fit the brake line fitting, where it connects to the wheel cylinder. Is that fitting metric? I could get a 11mm open end wrench on it, but it felt loose. A 10mm wouldn't fit at all.

Since NAPA isn't open today, I'll have to wait for parts. I plan on replacing all the hardware and giving it some new shoes.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Can you see that fitting good enough to tell whether it might be buggered-up from someone else's monkeying with it with a bad fitting wrench ??

 

[65sixbanger]

Try metric??

 

[Goofyexponent]

Vice grips and a new flare nut and line!

It ****** me off how people use adjustable or wrong sized wrenches on these...then when I go to remove them with a proper flare wrench....I am screwed!!!

 

[EMD_DRIVER]

Can you see that fitting good enough to tell whether it might be buggered-up from someone else's monkeying with it with a bad fitting wrench ??

The fitting looks great. No rust on it at all. I ended up using a 11mm open end wrench on it, being careful not to round it off..

I only replaced the passenger side cylinder. The driver's side looked great still and was not leaking.

I also found out that someone had put the 2.5" brake shoes on it. Even my 87 used the 3" shoes..

The test drive went great and the truck stops better than it ever has!

 

[trackspeeder]

Vice grips and a new flare nut and line!

It ****** me off how people use adjustable or wrong sized wrenches on these...then when I go to remove them with a proper flare wrench....I am screwed!!!

You need a metric adjustable wrench for those problems.

 

[EMD_DRIVER]

You need a metric adjustable wrench for those problems.

I broke mine, when I did the wheel cylinder on the 87. I will say, that my metric vise grips did great on getting the springs hooked up!

 

[fx4wannabe]

Thats why I love my Knipex pliers. They are parallel jaws just like an adjustable wrench but no chance they can slip if you use them correctly.

 

[GOOSE]

Doing brakes right now. $240 for Shoes, hardware, springs, e-brake cables, wheel cyllinders, hub seals, Brakleen, gal of Dot 3 fluid, wire wheel for grinder, new hard lines across rear, primer and paint. Pulled hubs to inspect, re pack bearings and put new seals, pulled backing plates to clean and re-paint. Cheap insurance for reliable brakes if you ask me.

Nothing like pre fabbing all new brake hardware on clean, painted backing plates. I can assemble the parts on a bench and bolt on complete assembly. Actually, I am doing this for a landscaper in the family and do not want any downtime related to the rear brakes or gear oil leaking. I'm also swapping out the rear in his truck as he sheared off the R&P gears. In exchange, he's giving me irrigation in my front yard, I'll take the brake work any day.

 

[sootman73]

Doing brakes right now. $240 for Shoes, hardware, springs, e-brake cables, wheel cyllinders, hub seals, Brakleen, gal of Dot 3 fluid, wire wheel for grinder, new hard lines across rear, primer and paint. Pulled hubs to inspect, re pack bearings and put new seals.

I hope you are talking about the front when talking about re-packing the bearings..... the rears are in oil.

oh and what oil did you put in the axle? i need to drain my new to me axle and replace with 90w140 oil. dont know why ford said at first to use 80w90 but we really should have the 140 oil in these things. we had a big discussion about this at work with the test lab guys.

 

[trackspeeder]

I broke mine, when I did the wheel cylinder on the 87. I will say, that my metric vise grips did great on getting the springs hooked up!

A BFH is a great replacement for the broken wrench.

 

[GOOSE]

I hope you are talking about the front when talking about re-packing the bearings..... the rears are in oil.

oh and what oil did you put in the axle? i need to drain my new to me axle and replace with 90w140 oil. dont know why ford said at first to use 80w90 but we really should have the 140 oil in these things. we had a big discussion about this at work with the test lab guys.

I'm using Penzoil 75/140. I have been using that weight oil for some time and like it. I know Penzoil is not the best but should be adequate for this truck. At least its synthetic.

I am referring to the rear bearings. The factory, Clymar and Chiltons say to grease them and even make note of the oil washing away the grease. I figured what the heck, can't hurt.

 

[Goofyexponent]

You need a metric adjustable wrench for those problems.

I KNEW I was doing SOMETHING wrong!!!