The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Brakes-Where to go?

Have my 1959 chev longbed fleetside just about done with body and engine ...need to have brakes done. Was recommended I take it to Midas or someplace like that and have them do?? Live in Walnut Creek Calif...any suggestions would be appreciated. Just sent pics and info to gallery, so look for the pics of my ride in a few!! Thanks, Holly59

Don,t you think you can do it yourself with the help & advise from the fellow stovebolters. These brakes are pretty basic.
When I started this reply I didn,t realize you were a woman. Then I thought if I changed it I would be a sexest. So the advice stands if your husband can/will help with the heavy part. If you don,t do it yourself I believe I would find a private shop. There are probably some bolters in that area that would know of some. The big chains/franshises have only your money in mind. These older trucks take a little more time then regular production jobs.

I have a '59 panel and just got done doing a complete brake job on it a month or so ago. I had no trouble finding all the parts I needed at O'Reilly or NAPA. The labor part is relatively simple. If it's not something you want to tackle, then I would go to a private mechanic before I would go to one of the chain stores.

Holly, there is no way in blazes I would take an old truck to a chain shop. Ask around and find a private mechanic who has the best reputation, they will be your best bet...IF you decide you don't want to do it yourself.

if I can do it anybody can! tote up local prices for the following and compare a quote from Midas:

left rear whl cyl: Wagner F14521 [1.125"ID]
right rear whl cyl: Wagner F14522 [1.125"ID]
frnt rt whl cyl: Raybestos WC14494 [1.125"ID]
frnt lft whl cyl: Raybestos WC14493 [1.125"ID]
front shoes - Raybestos 228RP
rear shoes - Raybestos 55-RR
rubber brake hose front & rear: Raybestos BH13841

if ya run into problems, we got answers

Bill

holly have a cam corder.if not sure take photo of your project.You can do this your self.Just remmber.ya got a primary shoe and a secondary shoe. the small one goes too the front,the large one goes to the rear.buy small I mean the size of the shoe lining.If in dought ASK >??? or find a boyfriend who can help .This is a simple job and will save ya a lot of bucks

Brakes are pretty easy. A few tips. Only take one side apart at a time, that way you can look at the other side to see how it goes back. Next, a brake spring plier and oter brakes tools are inexpensive and make it alot easier.

Hey, Holly,

I also have a '59 Apache Fleetside. For brakes, I got one of those basic kits that adapts mid-'70s GM Intermediate wheel bearings and disc calipers to the solid-axle spindles. It was not expensive at all. I got all the mid-'70s disc brake stuff from Auto-Zone - really cheap! I used a mid-'70s dual master cylinder from Auto-Zone (cheap) behind an 8" booster and installed them in the stock location beneath the floorboards with a fabbed-up bracket (you can buy one as well). I played around with flexible brakes lines and got a pair that were planty long to deal with future front suspension ups and downs. New steel brakes lines complete the installation. Oh, yes, I added Wilwood residual pressure valves to front and back circuits.

It was all very inexpensive!

Holly59,

A word of caution, if you do them yourself. Do not use compressed air to clean out the dust that has collected inside the drum area. Use your garden hose and wash the dust out with water.

You can train a monkey to change brake shoes... Rusty Rod is living proof!! :hammering:

I appreciate the ideas...I do think I need to find a private mechanic to do the job. The idea of Midas was making me nervous...No way I can tackle the job a)not enough time b)I own and use chainsaw, scroll saw, lathe...etc...but NO AUTO type tools...go figure! <winkgrin>...and my husband just had elbow surgery so he is out of the picture for a couple months.

So with that said...anyone know of a Mechanic I can trust my 59's brakes to in the Walnut Creek/Concord area???? Thanks all, Holly59

You can buy all the tools you need for what you will pay for the labor.

Try looking for a small mom and pop type brake shop. Or an old guy who has been around for a while.

If you go around getting estimates, always give them exactly the same information. Brake shoes, wheel cylinders, brakes lines, drums reground and master cylinder. How much installed. Compare the estimates and then choose.

RustyRod, thank you, I do understand that, justno interest in doing my own brakes! Ask me to use wood and build something-I'm there.
Builder...will do, someone who wants to do this is preferable to a big shop that doesn't care!!
Khardy, thank you but again...I'm gonna pay, and happily, to get this done!
Walnut Creek/Concord area...anyone who has a reference would be appreciated! Thank you! Holly59