I have a 52 1/2 ton Chevy. 5 window with, a 53 title. So I just figured it was a late season sale and the State listed it as a 53. No problem. When I got it home It had no brake fluid in it at all. But the MC and the wheel cylinders cleaned up nice with a hone. Kit parts in a box came with the truck and, it works fine. Brakes are good solid and reliable. Daily driver for the last 2 years. It started with a vibration in the drive shaft. So I ordered an "Okie" bushing. For a 52 truck. It was too big to fit in the torque tube. Like an idiot, I turned it down and made it fit. Replaced the trunion while I was in there and, smooth quiet running truck again. 2000 miles later I have a noise, click, click, right from the ball and u-joint area. What have I done wrong? Got it home and the weather warmed up so under the truck I go. Pulled the ball back and, every thing looked good. Nothing cracked, nothing loose, and every thing was lubed up and clean. I was under there so I looked around to see if any thing was in the wheels, nope. It was road speed related. No change with the clutch in or out. No change with the engine RPM. So I start thinking, great now I have a problem in the diff. Put the truck on jack stands start it up and let it idle in neutral. The driver side wheel turns. The passenger side, no. Stop the driver side with my boot and still the passenger side is stopped. So I try to turn it. Sticky and just not right. Shut the truck off, pulled the drum off, and, the seal has let go. Greasy, black, sticky ,and greasy. It would stick the shoe to the drum, and then let go. That is the clicking noise. The best part? Huck brakes in there. Should have noticed it before but I was just fixing stuff and the brake shoes were new. So I never really looked at every thing. Now I know why the bushing had to be turned down. and, now I get to put new shoes in there. So I have a 47-50 rear end in a 52 truck with a 53 title.I need more coffee, or more Rum...or just need to pay better attention. By the way, NAPA has a sale on the brake parts this week. Enjoy.
