BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 121 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 121 | The brakes on the '51 6400 have always worked fantastic, until about last June.(Haven't drove it since July, though) The right front cylinder leaks a little bit, but never much. Today I drove the truck for the first time after the overhaul. The brakes worked fine for a little bit, but then I noticed a light squeaking noise. That right front wheel cylinder must be acting up, as when I felt the drum after parking it pretty soon after hearing the squeaking, it was too hot to touch for very long. Before I tear into it, what do you guys think could be the cause of the problem? Is that just what leaking cylinders do, stick?
I know it needs a new wheel cylinder, so that's in its near future. (By near I mean in the next couple months) It's not a daily driver, and I'll be back at college in a few days, so it'll be a while before I get to work on it.
Thanks
P.S.- I'm sorry if this has already been asked before. If it has, just post a link to the other thread. I tried doing a forum search, but I didn't find anything right away that mirrored my issue. Still getting used to the forum and all its features.
1951 Chevrolet 6400
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,066 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,066 | Any leak in a brake system is something to be concerned about. When fluid gets on the lining it can cause the brakes to lock up.
Wheel cylinders also stick when they become cruddy inside. It could also have a collapsed brake hose which can cause a similar problem.
Fred
Last edited by rfs56trk; 01/12/2018 4:13 PM.
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | If it is a bonded shoe the boning may have come off and wedged in the drum. I'll bet you find out as soon as you pull the drum. The shoes, if original, can be purchased at the local auto parts store and fairly cheap. You may want to go ahead and buy a set. Do it once, do it right. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 843 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 843 | "The shoes, if original, can be purchased at the local auto parts store and fairly cheap."
Auto parts store linings have been "organic" (non-asbestos) since about 1980. Asbestos works vastly better and is abundant and inexpensive on ebay. When I took the "organic" friction off my '32 Ford roadster street rod and replaced it with asbestos it was like adding a booster and that is not an exaggeration.
Ray
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 121 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 121 | Thanks guys. I'm back at school now, but I'll try to tear into it next weekend.
1951 Chevrolet 6400
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 121 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 121 | Alright guys, I got the new wheel cylinder installed this weekend. Easy enough job! Only thing I'm questioning...the old one was 1 3/8" bore, and the new one is 1 1/4" bore. Will that hurt anything? Over the 8 miles I've driven since then, it's been working fine.
1951 Chevrolet 6400
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | 235Kidd, check your PM’s.
Martin
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | The smaller bore will make the brakes easier to push, at the expense of volume, so if there is enough volume, OK.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
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| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I think we are talking about a wheel cylinder here. So if you are saying that one front cylinder has a different bore size than the other side, yes that is very bad. You don't want to drive it on the street that way. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | The bigger cylinder will require more fluid volume to make it move, causing a low brake pedal, and once it gets applied, there will be a hard pull toward the cylinder with the bigger diameter due to more force being applied to the brake shoes by the bigger diameter cylinder. DO NOT DRIVE until you get the right cylinder installed.
Asbestos-lining brakes violate Department of Transportation rules- - - - stay FAR away from them!
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