Nick's 1971 Westy

[blue71]

I started checking the brakes today in the back on the passenger side. The lugs were tight as can be, drums came off easier than on my s10. The bolts were 11mm instead of allen heads.


The shoes look pretty decent thickness wise, possibly near new, and the wheel cylinder actuates fairly well when the shoe is tapped lightly. It's boot is solid and newer looking under the dirt/dust. The shoe retainer springs look new, while the other springs look pretty old.


Looks like there was a bit of a sticking point from it sitting so long, so there's a tiny tiny ridge, but no gouging. The drums turned easily with the bus up in the air.


The top spring is broken! Now to search for a spring kit for the rears.

[blue71]

Agney was able to get me a spring kit from Euclid, so I'm going to replace all the springs and lube the ebrake arm where it attaches to the shoe.

Is there another way besides a special blue wrench to break loose the star adjusters when a can of Blaster Penetrating Oil doesn't do the job? Should I take the whole adjuster screw and star out if I can, or just break loose the star?

[21window]

Agney was able to get me a spring kit from Euclid, so I'm going to replace all the springs and lube the ebrake arm where it attaches to the shoe.

Is there another way besides a special blue wrench to break loose the star adjusters when a can of Blaster Penetrating Oil doesn't do the job? Should I take the whole adjuster screw and star out if I can, or just break loose the star?

I prefer the red wrench.

[blue71]

I prefer the red wrench.

Yea, the red may be a better idea, blue fire may be just a wee bit too hot

[wwebner]

You should be able to get the adj screw out with vise grips. Once you get the screw out use a long bolt of the same thread size and pitch and thread it into the star. once the bolt bottoms out keep cranking and it will press the star out. You may be able to re use the parts bu new are pretty cheap. Either way use neversieze on the parts when re assembling including the outside of the star.
Bill

[Ken]

2X. It's always a good idea to use Never Cease when you put any old parts back together on an old vehicle. You never know when you'll be doing that job again and it will go much smoother.

[toolbox]

You should be able to get the adj screw out with vise grips. Once you get the screw out use a long bolt of the same thread size and pitch and thread it into the star. once the bolt bottoms out keep cranking and it will press the star out. You may be able to re use the parts bu new are pretty cheap. Either way use neversieze on the parts when re assembling including the outside of the star.
Bill

Along the same lines for removal. Unscrew the adjuster from the star and pack it with bearing grease, reinstall the adjuster and screw it in. The grease will force the star out.

[blue71]

Thanks for the help guys! Everything came apart alright in the end and went back together ok. The shoes were pretty good, and after checking the front pads, I really think the PO redid the brakes before it sat due to him not getting it to run right.

[blue71]

No updates other than the engine is torn apart at Angney's Import Service for a proper rebuild and a handful of folks have wanted to buy it.

[blue71]

My replacement short block is together and should become a longblock tonight. It'll be a stock 1600dp built on an STD 1500sp case.