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I am putting all new brakes on my 49 GMC dump truck and need some help on the front wheel bearings. I think this truck is a 3 ton and has a plate with a gasket on it you unbolt to access the front wheel bearing retainer. Should this be filled with oil? It didn't have any in it an the bearings were also not caked in grease like smaller trucks would have. It has been a struggle to find brakes for it. Napa has the wheel cylinders but I'm having to send off the master to get sleeved and the hydrovac to be rebuilt. Thanks for the help.

whit, Welcome back! Your truck being what it is, your question will get the best help and answers in the Big Bolts forum, so it's been moved there for further conversation. I'm sure some fellow Bolters will be a long soon to offer some help and guidance.

Trying to keep oil in a front hub will be a challenge, unless you have some very fancy aftermarket seals behind the inner bearings. I'd suggest doing a thorough disassembly and inspection, and packing the bearings with "DB" rated wheel bearing grease. Any local parts store will have various brands on the shelf. If your brake shoes aren't damaged, they can be relined with new friction material that's available on Ebay. Where are you in "Mid-Tenn?" I'm about halfway between Fayetteville and Pulaski close to the Alabama state line.
Jerry

It sounds like you have a source for brake rebuild services but here's another one if you're interested. They'll reline your old shoes.

Specializing in antique, vintage, classic, obsolete, unique and hard-to-find brake parts, bonding, riveting, rebuilding, drum and rotor machining, custom made brake hoses

Brake Materials & Parts Inc
800 Sherman Boulevard,
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
260-426-3331
http://www.brakematerialsandparts.webs.com/

The GM service manual for the 350 says to pack the bearings with grease, and to line the inside of the hub with a layer of grease so they do not rust.

The front hubs on my 9600/350 just had a set of felt seals on them, which add credibility to them only expecting grease in there. I machined my hubs to take a set of nitrile seals so they would be a little more dust proof.

You are going to have trouble finding drums or pads for this old a truck - cyilinders were all i was able to redily find for my truck. The best I can suggest is to look into getting the pads relined

Relining brake shoes isn't "rocket surgery"- - - - -especially if you have a rivet setting machine like the one sitting out in my shop!
Jerry

Used it yet??

I'm in Readyville just outside of Murfreesboro. Thanks for the advice

Fingers crossed, I have pulled one front and one rear apart and the shoes and drums are in exceptional condition. Hoping I can leave them alone. Napa had the correct wheel cylinders. I'm just looking for the brake hoses now. They are threaded on the outside on one end to have a nut go on to tighten it where it goes through the frame.

Used it yet??[/quote]

Still need to figure out where to bolt it down, and make a few more rivet punches. I think I might use a piece of steel plate about 2 feet square to mount it, where it will be semi-portable. That can also be used to reline clutches if I can find the right diameter friction discs somewhere.
Jerry

You're close enough for a meet & greet sometime- - - -coffee (or an "adult beverage" or three) are on me!
Jerry

The hoses I used on the front of my truck were Raybestos BH36548. They do not come with a nut, but the outside thread is 5/8" fine - I just went to a fastener supplier and got a couple of jam nuts to use instead of trying to find the stamped steel variant.

If you are cruising through my area, come on by and I will have a cold one for ya. I have about 20 old gm cars and trucks from 47-54.