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7/22/19: I had some time to look at my wandering truck issue and lackluster ability to stop the truck. After jacking up the truck and supporting her on the frame with jack stands, I remove the front wheels and brake drums so I could inspect the brakes. Once I removed the spindle nut and outer bearings the drums came right off. The shoes and drums on both sides were loaded with grease. Further inspection showed the grease seals were shot. The shoes, which looked to be new, were covered with grease rendering them useless. New seals and shoes were in order. I ordered a new set of AC Delco shoes from RockAuto.

When I disassembled the drivers side brakes assembly, I noticed that one of the lock washers on the bottom bolts that attach the backing plate were installed on the wrong side, in other words p, installed under the bolt and not the nut. Removal of those bolts proved harder than it looked as one of the steel spacers (sleeve) between the knuckle assembly and backing plate were rusted solid to the bolt. I tried soaking the spacer with PB Blaster and holding it with a Vice Grip while I used an impact, but it only spun in the Vice Grip Pliers. I removed the whole backing plate to allow me better access. Once I got the plate to the bench, with a little heat on the directed to the spacer, I was able to drive the bolt out of the spacer.

Disassembly of the passengers side went a bit easier. This time I disconnected the tie rod from the steering arm, removed the whole backing plate assembly, then removed the spacers from the bolts. Again a little heat was in order. I media blasted all of the brake components and steering arms, applied a coat of prime then a coat of my favorite spray paint, Ace Premium Satin Black. This stuff is amazing. Has primer in it, two coat coverage, drys quick with a nozzle that sprays in an elliptical pattern just like a spray gun. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough, so off the the hardware store.