The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 3100 '50 vs '51 Brakes

I've got a 1950 3100 that I'm looking to replace (not upgrade) the factory brakes...drum, shoes, springs, cylinder, etc.

I've been looking at Brothers and LMC and noticed that they have some parts for 47-53 and other parts for 51-53. Is there really a difference between the brakes on a '50 and a '51? If so, what is it?

Thanks

Yes there is a difference. You have the 'Huck' brake system, starting in '51 they have the Bendix system.

Before 1951 the trucks used “Huck” style brake shoes. In 1951 they changed to more modern “Bendix” type brakes. They mount differently, use different springs and parts and are not interchangeable without changing the backing plates and other minor modifications. Bendix shoes are 2 inches wide, while the Huck shoes are only 1 3/4 inches wide. I think the brake cylinders vary in bore as well as having right/left differences with Bendix. Huck replacement parts are getting scarce and more expensive, but are perfectly adequate for a stock truck if you have your shoes refurbished, and clean up your drums, check/replace lines, and purchase new cylinders.

Thanks, good info. You mentioned refurbished shoes...never heard of doing that. Any recommendations for that type of work?

Just do a search for brake and clutch rebuilding in your area. Big trucks and construction equipment still have shoes and plates relined and many of these places will do car linings.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have a detailed set of instruction on how to convert it over to the Bendix type brakes?

Go to the top of the page and click on Tech Tips. then go down into restoration, brakes and then Huck to Bendix upgrade.

Local brake guru turned me on to this place this morning. https://www.kanter.com/

The claimed to have a rebuild kit for the Huck brakes, so I've got their master rebuild kit on order. So we'll see what comes in the mail. Expectations are high.

You can buy new replacement drums for the Huck brakes on the 3100. You can also buy the shoes new. Now you may be able to buy new fasteners, those are called pin locks and they look like bent washers. I would be very careful with those in case you can't find new ones. there are springs on those pins and I don't know whether the springs or the pins are available new anywhere. They can fly out of sight if things slip when mounting them. The cylinders are all available new or they can be rebuilt. Lots of brake specialists can put a stainless steel sleeve inside. I have heard some complaints about the new non asbestos brake shoes but I find they work really well.

what's the best place to buy these? Where have you guys had the best luck?

Thanks
Jody

All of the parts mentioned above (Brake shoes, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, return springs, shoe hold down springs, anchor pin lock clips, even drums) are available at “Classicparts”. Other venders have these parts as well, - I purchased many of these parts at “Rockauto”.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/RdLessTaken/IMG_85261_zps90bf2b98.jpg

I was unable to find any of the 1950 Huck brake hardware for the 1950 3100 on the Classic Parts website. They do have the hardware for the Bendix style brakes.

Google “Classic Parts”, formerly “Chevy Duty”, > 1947-1954 Truck Parts > Brakes > Shoes, Drums, Wheel Cylinders, etc. etc. it’s all there 5 minutes ago.

http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/RdLessTaken/library/

FWIW, I have over 100,000 miles on Huck brakes on my '49 1/2 ton, personally driven miles.

At Classic Parts I see mostly the hardware for Bendix Brakes but not Huck. They do show hold down springs and return springs for the Huck brakes but that is all.

So what size of Huck pin locks do they carry? They use two different sizes.

Classic Parts - Huck Brake Parts (1941-1950 Trucks)

Brake Shoes (Front & Rear) #71-0011
Hold Down Springs #71-511
Return Springs # 71-506 & #71505
Anchor Pin Lock Clip #710514
Drums front #71-408
Drum rear #71-409
Wheel Cylinder (New) Front #71-105
Wheel Cylinder (New) Rear #71-125
Kits #71-171 & #71-181
Master Cylinder (new) # 71-205
Kit # #71-255


http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/RdLessTaken/IMG_85285sm_zps851e284f.jpg

Exactly and there are no pin locks and the pins and springs for the pins are not supplied by anybody that I know of.

My kit from Kanter will be here tomorrow, so I'll let you know. The hardware kit won't ship until the end of march. But I should get a rebuilt master cyclinder, shoes, wheel cyclinders, hoses, etc. I have to send some of my parts back for a core charge...he must reman the stuff and sell it.

I'm hoping to have the drums machined locally...if they can be.

Robert,
you are in luck because if need be, you can buy new drums although it is always nicer to have the original style. I bought some new ones from Jim Carter a few years back for my 38. They were reproductions made in Argentina and they seem like a pretty decent product. These brakes work really well when they are in good shape. I hope that you enjoy your truck.

Got the master rebuild kit from Kanter today. Looks like nice stuff, well packaged, ready to go. I've got to send my master cylinder back for a core charge...but it looks to be everything except the drums....which I intend to machine and reuse the originals.