Rebuilt... but still leaking... Hmmm

[Gnant]

I bought the rebuild kit for the drivers side front drum brake. Replace the spring, black thingies and boots. Brakes still leak. I cleaned it out real well, couldn't see any scratches or pitting on the inside of the cylinder or on the pistons. I did forget which piston went in which side and just guessed. Well, my front brake still leaks. Suggestions??? Just replace the whole thing??? Swap pistons???

I am actually glad my front brake started leaking because it probably saved my life. When I jacked up the truck, the passenger side front tire was loose like the lug nuts were not even on. Popped the hub cap off and there is nothing left of the bearing. Several (I mean several) inches of movement. The grease is fresh so I think the guy who sold it to me knew it was bad and just masked it. Can't beleive I couldn't hear or feel it driving. When I get it apart I am sure I will have questions on that as well. Just taking it one tire at a time.

Sean

[36truck]

Check out the bad side first & if the spindle is messed up now is a good time to up grade to disc then you don't have to worry about the wheel cyl.

[Gnant]

Will pull it apart tonight. I honestly don't know how the spindle could have gone undammaged. There is a ton of play.

[Gary Seymour]

Sounds like you are pretty lucky the wheel didn't fall off while you were driving it!

If you have replaced the parts in the wheel cylinder and it still leaks, then you will have to replace the wheel cylinder. There is too much clearance between the piston and the cylinder bore. Maybe it was honed too much, or maybe it's corroded.

[Bill W]

your prolly going to luck out with no damage to the spindel, the brake shoes would not allow for much play if it was the inside bearing gone bad...
glad you found that before somthing happened

[Astrowing]

I just replaced the entire wheel cylinders on mine, which is what I would highly recommend. It made it much easier to also replace the flexible hoses at the same time.

[don morris II]

make sure you put the pucks in in the right direction there is a out and in side to them hope this helps

[BarnieTrk]

Sean,
Sounds like you were lucky on finding the bad bearing when you did!

Regarding the wheel cylinder -- I'm right there with ya.
I have also tried to rebuild (more than a couple times) brake wheel cylinders over the years. I first started out just sanding the insides then installing the kit. They leaked. I bought a hone for my drill and dipped it in brake fluid and honed them out, then new kits. They still leaked. I finally gave up on rebuilding them and simply save up and spring for the cost of a new wheel cylinder....... I'd have to recommend you do the same.

Good Luck!
BarnieTrk

[Gnant]

Was shocked to find the spindle in good shape. Took some pics and will post tonight. I would like a second opinion.

As for the brake cylinder, I will buy a new one and a new brake line. I was really wanting to drive it up to Barrett Jackson this weekend but may not be able to. The auction is literally 5 miles from my house. Was up there Monday and there were some nice slicks there.

[Slick Fan]

Was up there Monday and there were some nice slicks there.

Sweet, get us some pics of those, too!

[ICEMAN6166]

i used to rebuild wheel cylinders all the time until i found the new ones were only a few $ more than the kits.

[DCarr]

I thought so too, until I went to NAPA in Laramie, Wyo. Front wheel cyls were like 70 dollars ea.with a shop discount-had to be special ordered from KC. Kits were 8 bucks & were delivered overnight from Denver. Fortunately the cyls were not corroded still on my 64 2 years later -no leaks.

[eaglefan]

Hey DCARR, man I would never buy anything from that NAPA store again unless I shopped around! Here in Sioux City Iowa I could go anywhere in town and buy wheel cylinders for $10-15 bucks, they must have been trying to sell you nos parts. Just thought that I would add my 2 cents worth. Later Randy