Rear Drum brakes..
Unregistered User
Posts: n/a
Rear Drum brakes..
I spent the better part of today pullign of the drum brakes. I was NOT planning on this , but after last night, I had no choice as they were siezed. 'Siezed' you might ask, I would rather use the term ' Fused ' but some intellectuals on this site would have a folly with me for doing so.. anyway.. Heres some pics and a demonstration WHY drum brakes, for lack of better temrs.. ' suck '.
The pads surface material LITERALLY melted onto the drum itself. I was finally able to get the drums off in pieces. The use of 16lb sledge hammer, a set of toarches and 7 hours to do it as well.
I figured now would be the best time to put on that SSBC Disc conversion I've had laying here forever.. Nothing else can go wrong...
I go to mount the plates for the calipers and notice the whole is off a full centimeter ( if not more ) . I try the other bracket thinking maybe the sides have differences.. It was then I remembered I MIGHT not have a Ranger axle at all ( my factory one is in my rear storage ).
I call Bob Kennedy up and ask him ' where did this axle come from? ' .. his response ' Behind my house. we cleaned it up, built the diff and bolted it in.. did you finally break it? Its a factory axle, uncut/un-narrowed... '. WTBH else can go wrong?
So.. I'm thinking I can just toss the ranger axle back in.. I go to lift it and the axle slides right out... wonderful.
So I gather some of the pieces from the old drum up and off to the parts store I go.
The drums are 10 3/4 inch. Its off an 03 lvl2, thus the 31 spline axles originally that were replaced by Moser's.
14hrs later.. Its back together.
Wide tires eh?
This was a small cost in my book.. the time, money.. it was well worth it. For those that know the story, I beat the Yenko, HANDS DOWN, uncontested. I would have pulled even harder on him but we both had to hit the brakes.. a cop rolled out in front of us.. with his lights on.. I might need a lift to the Detroit meet cause I don't fell like wearing out my sneakers.. pops is pissed, first speeding ticket for him in 20+ years..
The pads surface material LITERALLY melted onto the drum itself. I was finally able to get the drums off in pieces. The use of 16lb sledge hammer, a set of toarches and 7 hours to do it as well.
I figured now would be the best time to put on that SSBC Disc conversion I've had laying here forever.. Nothing else can go wrong...
I go to mount the plates for the calipers and notice the whole is off a full centimeter ( if not more ) . I try the other bracket thinking maybe the sides have differences.. It was then I remembered I MIGHT not have a Ranger axle at all ( my factory one is in my rear storage ).
I call Bob Kennedy up and ask him ' where did this axle come from? ' .. his response ' Behind my house. we cleaned it up, built the diff and bolted it in.. did you finally break it? Its a factory axle, uncut/un-narrowed... '. WTBH else can go wrong?
So.. I'm thinking I can just toss the ranger axle back in.. I go to lift it and the axle slides right out... wonderful.
So I gather some of the pieces from the old drum up and off to the parts store I go.
The drums are 10 3/4 inch. Its off an 03 lvl2, thus the 31 spline axles originally that were replaced by Moser's.
14hrs later.. Its back together.
Wide tires eh?
This was a small cost in my book.. the time, money.. it was well worth it. For those that know the story, I beat the Yenko, HANDS DOWN, uncontested. I would have pulled even harder on him but we both had to hit the brakes.. a cop rolled out in front of us.. with his lights on.. I might need a lift to the Detroit meet cause I don't fell like wearing out my sneakers.. pops is pissed, first speeding ticket for him in 20+ years..
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,926
Likes: 1
From: Lewiston, Maine
Originally Posted by n3elz
28 spline and 31 spline Ranger axles can mount the exact same brakes. There are no differences in mounting.
but if i remember correctly, they cant mount the same disc brake conversion kit since its made for the 28spline
RF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 6
From: Kennett Square, PA
It makes NO difference, Kiel. The hub is the same size, the dimensions of the mounting holes and such are the same. SSBC would have to really screw up to make something that didn't fit both since the ENTIRE drum setup, including backing plates and all, fits both.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region, MTC to be exact...heart of the coal region.
Originally Posted by n3elz
It makes NO difference, Kiel. The hub is the same size, the dimensions of the mounting holes and such are the same. SSBC would have to really screw up to make something that didn't fit both since the ENTIRE drum setup, including backing plates and all, fits both.
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,926
Likes: 1
From: Lewiston, Maine
Originally Posted by n3elz
It makes NO difference, Kiel. The hub is the same size, the dimensions of the mounting holes and such are the same. SSBC would have to really screw up to make something that didn't fit both since the ENTIRE drum setup, including backing plates and all, fits both.
yeah your right, and Kiel didnt say it, i did
oh well, my bad
you can still send the conversion kit over to me D...hahahaha
yes yes i agree...
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 1
From: West Grove, PA
At least your brakes worked when you needed them. Ask John my drums really really suck. The adjusters quit working so I have to manually adjust them every so often. I would love to see a set of brackets made so I could junkyard some discs myself.
RF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 6
From: Kennett Square, PA
Ah, Luke, I found that NAPA has kits to rebuild the adjusters and if you like, we can get them and do it. It's about $15 a side. I may have to order them as I bought the last kits the store I use had, but they are available.
RF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 6
From: Kennett Square, PA
Mine are much better. I had to replace a wheel cylinder because one of the bleeders was non-functional. I never bled them properly from the axle change back in April!
So, I can honestly say my brakes feel better than they have for a long time. Getting them bled, and the adjusters working, has restored a LOT.
The kit I'm talking about changes that cable thingy, the plate/pawl that actually adjusts the brakes, the spring, etc. So you end up with an adjuster that is basically new when you're done and it does seem to keep the brakes tight now -- whereas before they loosened up pretty quickly.
So, I can honestly say my brakes feel better than they have for a long time. Getting them bled, and the adjusters working, has restored a LOT.
The kit I'm talking about changes that cable thingy, the plate/pawl that actually adjusts the brakes, the spring, etc. So you end up with an adjuster that is basically new when you're done and it does seem to keep the brakes tight now -- whereas before they loosened up pretty quickly.
