soup
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Post by soup on Oct 25, 2013 4:45:12 GMT -8
Thanks?.....I think..... Anyway, here is thread; vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/895/brakes-grease-soupI have also cleared up the difference between a dust cap with a grease seal (seen above in pics) and actual "Bearing Buddy" brand pressurized grease cap for boat trailers there too. Grease fitting in dust cap bad, bearing buddy good.....LOL
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 28, 2013 14:06:25 GMT -8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKa0Par8Un8Took apart door to check for rot. Not too bad. Won't have to rebuild whole thing. Just a couple sticks. Took rear curb skins off to repair rot inside closet and aft door frame. Also now have access to rear curb corner stick too. Will be cleaning brakes off in the AM. The new dust caps and brake shoes are supposed to be in stock at NAPA in the morning too. Toodles
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Oct 29, 2013 4:54:08 GMT -8
Soup, I am SO glad we had Alexander's in Bloomington take care of our brakes, instead of trying to do them ourselves. Good to know our own limitations! We traveled hundreds of miles on our first 2-week outing last month, and did find some glitches. But the wheels and brakes performed flawlessly! There are times when experience is golden. Gingersnap, I believe you are in good hands...
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Oct 29, 2013 10:54:02 GMT -8
Hey, at least all that grease kept the brakes from rusting out...
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 29, 2013 11:55:26 GMT -8
Soup, I am SO glad we had Alexander's in Bloomington take care of our brakes, instead of trying to do them ourselves. Good to know our own limitations! We traveled hundreds of miles on our first 2-week outing last month, and did find some glitches. But the wheels and brakes performed flawlessly! There are times when experience is golden. Gingersnap, I believe you are in good hands... Thanks for saying!
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 29, 2013 11:57:03 GMT -8
Hey, at least all that grease kept the brakes from rusting out... www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldi9677mj60That is exactly one of the first thoughts I had too. None of the springs were broken due they never had a chance to rust out! Here they are after taking them apart and starting to de-grease. Yuk! I hate doing the NASTY. Pass the rubber gloves please....
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 29, 2013 16:25:20 GMT -8
Those springs look a little frail... Might want to clean those up and see how they look under the rust. I had one snap on me hitting a pot hole and the results are not pretty.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 29, 2013 16:41:27 GMT -8
Any time I do a drum brake a like to buy complete new hardware if it is available and most of it is. Much cheaper than a complete redo for free.
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gingersnap
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Post by gingersnap on Oct 29, 2013 17:00:34 GMT -8
Soup, I am SO glad we had Alexander's in Bloomington take care of our brakes, instead of trying to do them ourselves. Good to know our own limitations! We traveled hundreds of miles on our first 2-week outing last month, and did find some glitches. But the wheels and brakes performed flawlessly! There are times when experience is golden. Gingersnap, I believe you are in good hands... Thanks for saying! I could agree with you more, hoosierpoet. I have been uber impressed with the craftsmanship and knowledge of Soup. I am a newbie as far as restoration goes, and have learned a lot so far.
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 30, 2013 3:16:04 GMT -8
Those springs look a little frail... Might want to clean those up and see how they look under the rust. I had one snap on me hitting a pot hole and the results are not pretty. What rust?!! Too much grease for rust! You had a spring break right after re-installing/inspecting the old one or had it been a while sense you had inspected it? Just wondering. If it was right after, it was almost broke when you re-installed it or the words "pot hole" is an understatement! LOL Not to worry mobile. Everything is soaking in kero & automatic tranny fluid bath right now. (There is no way I would install grease covered hardware with new brake shoes or even old ones for that matter) Once cleaned will know if we need brake hardware or not. At first look all springs and hardware like new due to the grease coating keeping it all from rusting. If any hardware needs replacing after cleaning/inspecting, it will be replaced. But if all looks good after cleaning it will NOT be replaced. So far I have not seen any indications that any springs are frail. The "frail" spring I think you are seeing (small thin blue one) is one of the hold down springs. The rest of the springs at the top are good too. I'll ask gingersnap if she wants to buy new hardware kits, but at the moment, from what I've seen so far, all the brake hardware is good. Still haven't cleaned off the adjusters yet. If they are bad, you can buy them in a kit that comes with all the hardware. So if they turn out being bad then new hardware will come with. Again, just don't know for sure yet until I get everything de-greased and inspected.
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 30, 2013 3:30:38 GMT -8
Any time I do a drum brake a like to buy complete new hardware if it is available and most of it is. Much cheaper than a complete redo for free. True enough but please don't worry. These springs are so strong, I like to never got them off. They felt like they were brand new, spring tension wise. I even broke the pair of silver brake pliers you see in the tool pic above removing the springs, they were so strong. I've had that tool sense the late 70's! The first thing they teach you in auto shop class in high school is a brake job. Two students with a complete axle on the work bench in front of them. Each student gets the wheel/drum on his or her side, then has to dis-assemble and re- assemble, without defects to pass that first test. I did my fist "on bench" auto brakes in school around 1976 but had been doing motor cycle brakes sense about 42 years ago! LOL Bill, If I had a dollar for every wheel of brakes I've ever done or instructed how to for someone in person, I could buy another Shasta! If after cleaning and inspection, if it needs any new hardware, it will get new hardware. They just "LOOK" old due to all the grease coating. The bottom adjuster springs, that are usually the first to break due to being the thinnest and usually the most rusty/wet of all the springs, were very strong when I released them from the shoes. We'll know more after I get them cleaned today. If it were me, with all the money being spent elsewhere on the project, I would only replace hardware if absolutely needed. Not just because they are dirty and not pretty. It still boils down to it's not my money so it's not my decision. All I can do is suggest replacement "if needed". Lets take a look at real costs involved if replacing hardware parts; Approx $$= New hardware kit, less than $15 x 2 sides = $30.00 New adjuster kit, less than $20 x 2 sides = $40.00 Whoop, there went another hundy!! It all adds up quick, then add shoes ($80), grease ($5), grease seals ($20), gloves ($15), rags ($15) on top of that with labor too. As you can see complete brake parts replacement can add up quick. If you are replacing this much in brake parts, it's just better to buy the complete brake kit already assembled on a new backing plate. You can get the complete brake pac kit with already being installed on the backing plate and all for around $100 a side, Dexter brand, (See feebay) Then all you have to install is the backing plate pack with 4 studs/nuts each through axle plate. If you are wanting to replace all hardware and shoes, the complete brake pack backing plate kit is the ONLY way to go money wise IMHO. But choosing this route can lead to it's own set of problems with installation. Like new back plates aligning with axle mounting plate. So if after cleaning and inspecting, if adjusters and springs need replacement, I'll just return the shoes to NAPA and order the complete backing plate/brake kit from them. If it just needs a spring or two, I have a lot of those, new, already here in my garage "IN Stock" left over from all the vintage cars I have done over the years. You should see all the new brake hardware I have stashed leftovers from other projects. I probably have 20-30 brand new hold down springs in stock! These "in stock" items would be no charge items from me to gingersnap! Keep in mind though, I'm the type of guy who takes his hubs off for inspection/grease every spring before heading out on first trip. That way I know my brakes and bearings are good all season and I never stress/worry about them while I'm having a fun tow! This also gives me a chance to inspect tires, valve stems, leaf springs, shackles, metal frame, etc. too at the beginning of every camping season. Just sayin' soup
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Post by bigbill on Oct 30, 2013 5:01:59 GMT -8
Soup I know exactly what you are saying and I have done thousands of brakes reusing the old springs in my life also but I personally buy new hardware any more unless the customer just can't afford it. I have seen springs that look good fail for no apparent reason and I have reused springs that looked a little bad and do to availability couldn't get new and had no problems. One never knows.
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 30, 2013 5:24:36 GMT -8
Well Bill, sense it's you... I just called NAPA. Checking price and availability will call me back. Old parts still soaking, just in case! Biscuits and gravy still being eaten with oj and coffee right now too!
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Post by bigbill on Oct 30, 2013 5:38:37 GMT -8
My felling are hurt your having biscuits and gravy and didn't invite me down. I had sausage home fries and eggs this morning so I guess I can't complain. I am not trying to talk you into anything just telling you what I do.
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 30, 2013 5:44:18 GMT -8
I'd do the same for my stuff but I never have the money to go first class. Maybe just getting complete back plate/brake assemblies now.
HOME FRIES!!! MMMMMmmmmm I didn't get any of those this morning, but boy would they have hit the spot. Just pile it all up like a Bob Evan's sunshine skillet. Don't forget the scallions on top!
Our local IGA has B&G order for $2.13 each. I usually have enough gravy left over to make my own biscuits the second day with the left over gravy!
See I even stretch my breakfast dollar HA HA!! I'm so cheap I won't even pay attention!
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