mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 16, 2014 17:51:43 GMT -8
Just bought a shasta compact and one brake is locked up. Any suggestions on how to fix it?
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Oct 16, 2014 18:24:25 GMT -8
Compacts very rarely had brakes, so it is likely a frozen-up bearing. Pop the center cap out and then disassemble the bearing from the axle. Once you are this far into it the best idea is to replace with new parts, at least the bearings and races.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 17, 2014 1:38:23 GMT -8
If it has brakes that are rusted to the drums I would remove outer bearings them hit drum with a hammer multiple times, hopefully this will shake them loose. I have sprayed with penetrate in the past but very hard to get into brake area. If none of this works go to back of backing plate and locate the shoe retaining pins, take a small grinding tool and grind the heads off, then remove any bolts you see (may not be any) and with a little luck you can get everything to move enough to pry it apart. Then my suggestion would be to purchase all new brake and drum assemblies for both sides. I have also used an impact wrench with a six point socket and tightened the backing plate retaining bolts till they broke removed the whole mess and bought new. The backing plate bolts can be center drilled to weaken them also if needed. IF all of this sounds like too much effort then buy a new axle complete with brakes and install. This is a quick reply with a lot of ideas you can try any combination or all of them until problem is solved, hope this helps.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 17, 2014 5:13:34 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestions, I am hoping to get out there this weekend to try some of it, but I might not be able to until next weekend. I will keep you posted once I get started.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 17, 2014 8:17:13 GMT -8
If it has brakes that are rusted to the drums I would remove outer bearings them hit drum with a hammer multiple times, hopefully this will shake them loose. I have sprayed with penetrate in the past but very hard to get into brake area. If none of this works go to back of backing plate and locate the shoe retaining pins, take a small grinding tool and grind the heads off, then remove any bolts you see (may not be any) and with a little luck you can get everything to move enough to pry it apart. Then my suggestion would be to purchase all new brake and drum assemblies for both sides. I have also used an impact wrench with a six point socket and tightened the backing plate retaining bolts till they broke removed the whole mess and bought new. The backing plate bolts can be center drilled to weaken them also if needed. IF all of this sounds like too much effort then buy a new axle complete with brakes and install. This is a quick reply with a lot of ideas you can try any combination or all of them until problem is solved, hope this helps. BigBill pretty much covered it!
One thing to try "before" you move on to the total destruction mode (LOL), is to use a pneumatic air chisel with "a blunt end". The area you want to work on, is the outside of the braking surface, since it's the brake pads that are rusted to the inside of the drums. Also work the flat area where the magnet sticks to the drum contact surface.
The trick is,.......lots of small blows........NOT lots of force, and hammer weight. You want to "break the seal" of the rust. If you just use the air hammer, around the circumference of the braking surface, and flat surface, IT WILL COME LOOSE. You can even do the same thing with a medium size hammer, but it will take longer. Just take your time.
Remove the outer bearing first so the drum can flop around, and loosen the brake adjustment as far as possible before you start.
If it was easy, everyone would be restoring these little trailers. LOL
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 17, 2014 10:00:06 GMT -8
Thanks John! I just want to get out there and try this stuff so bad, but it is not that easy with a 2 year old running around lol. Someone had suggested trying to pull is on concrete with my car a few feet that that might loosen it up. What are you guys thought on that? I don't want to make it worse.
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carlss
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Post by carlss on Oct 17, 2014 10:45:35 GMT -8
Wear safety goggles !!! Rust will fly
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 17, 2014 14:55:54 GMT -8
Like 10 said, it probably does not have brakes unless a po added them and the bearings are probably locked up. Remove the center hub, it screws on, be careful which way you turn it as it is may be threaded opposite what you expect, not a lefty loosy.
As for dragging it, we tried that method with a '67 Camaro and it was a comical disaster. We had to remove the brakes manually.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 17, 2014 16:44:43 GMT -8
Jack it up, set it on jack stands so it won't fall on you. remove the wheel and see if you have brakes. If so you are now ready to start the above suggestions. John's suggestion of an air hammer is great I just figured since you had to ask you probably didn't have one so there fore grab a hammer and start trying to jar it loose.AS STATED ABOVE MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING SAFETY GLASSES the eyes you save could be your own.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 17, 2014 17:33:52 GMT -8
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 25, 2014 7:38:39 GMT -8
So we have are working on this all morning, and the camper defiantly has brakes and they are STUCK!!!! I mean really stuck! We have been hammering all morning, spraying I with rust spray and nothing seems to be working. We don't have a pneumatic air chisel or anything like that. So I think were about to break out the sludge hammer
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Post by bigbill on Oct 25, 2014 14:58:38 GMT -8
Did you try loosening the adjusting wheel through a slot in the backing plate. If you cant get them loose cut or drill out the four bolts on the rear mounting flange and remove entire brake unit. You might remove the outer wheel bearing and try hammering on the drum this might allow more flex to break them loose. BECAREFUL not to damage the axle threads take the outer bearing out then put nut back on to protect threads.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 25, 2014 15:06:28 GMT -8
So we still can't get it apart, we did remove the 4 bolts in the back and take the entire brake/hub unit off in one piece. The adjusting wheel is completely rusted in position we can't get that to turn at all. Not even sure what to try now......
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 25, 2014 18:41:53 GMT -8
Mel, At some point, you have to ask the question....why would you need to take it apart.....just as long as you can get the rusted parts off of the axle..... your golden!
Besides you cannot buy small brake parts today, like was done years ago. They sell the backing plates complete with all parts attached (really cheap). Buy a pair of drums/hubs, and a pair of backing plates, and move on to the next project.
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Post by vikx on Oct 25, 2014 21:45:00 GMT -8
I agree with John, replace it.
That being said, you might try to heat it with a torch and use a large hammer...
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