The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun front axle

Is it possible to use later model bendix brakes on the older axle that came out with huck brakes. the older axle is in a 51 1ton with huck brakes the newer bendix brake parts are from a 53 1ton

The experts will have to back me up on this, but as far as I have learned, you will need to replace everything except for the axle and spindles -- backing plate, wheel cylinder, all the shoes and actuators, and the drums. You do not need to replace the axle or spindles.

Of course, you do not actually need* to update to Bendix ... unless you need to replace the Hucks because they are worn out or damaged or incomplete. I am running Hucks still on my '49 and I cruise (when I am not under house arrest by the nanny state ...) 60-65 MPH and do just fine with my brakes. Just food for thought.

*"Need" is not the same as "want" ... There are benefits to updating to Bendix, so if you want to do so, by all means, have at it. But don't think you have to because the older technology is somehow dangerous or whatever. I have survived so far on my Huck brakes and see no need to replace them with new fangled modern technology just because someone spun me up into some kind of nervous nelly kabookie dance of death (I learned that from 52carl, BTW ...)

Thanks for the reply. Just thinking the bendix brakes would be good as I have changed the rear axle to a later model eaton with bendix brakes.I'm also going to power duel master cylender. Not knocking the huck brakes other than a pain in the butt to adjust they work pretty good.

Todd -- Good to go. Sounds like you are doing it right. Some guys think they have to change the brakes just because they have to change the brakes.

The Huck brakes get easier to adjust the more you do it ... I just put the whole truck up on jack stands. Also, while I'm at it, I rotate the tires.

Good up grade just did same on my 50 chev 3100 better braking system as self energizing system more braking power,thats why the long lining goes on rear position sir.

If you look carefully at the Huck design you will see that they are self energizing both forward and reverse, which at times is important. The Hucks work fine especially if you have a hydrovac. If you lay into the brakes there's a pressure point where you can feel the brakes begin to self-energize. My belief is that GM went to Bendix because they were cheaper and arguably just as good. My front drums are worn so I'm looking to go to Bendix because Huck drums are no longer available. If anybody has 1-ton front Huck drums drop me a PM.