The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Newish Newbie from Santa Rosa

Hey all! I joined almost a year ago, I think, but haven't posted yet, just watching and reading so far. I still feel new! I live in Santa Rosa, CA and have two 1954 Chevy 3100 trucks, both with 4 on the floor (got the granny!) and the second one has a newly rebuilt engine. The first one I bought is still at my Dad's house (electrical troubles) and I felt lonely here so bought another one! When I bought this one I noticed some evidence of leaking at a couple of brake hoses and around the inside of one of the rear wheels, I thought maybe a wheel cylinder or axle seal was bad. I have been replacing the wheel cylinders today and have run into a couple of snags, well, one major one anyway. One of the rear wheels does indeed need a new axle seal, but I don't have the tools to tackle it (it has C-clamps). This particular wheel has been leaking long enough to soak the brake pads, rendering them useless for braking (for who knows how long!) and so probably putting too much strain on the other rear drum. That drum I can't seem to get off despite many sprays with PB Blaster and tappings and pryings! Grrr. Can anyone recommend a good rear-end and/or brake shop in Santa Rosa, CA? I figure I'll replace the cylinders and hoses that I can get to, clean up as much of the leaked grease as possible, put it all back together, and take the truck to a shop for the axle seal and possibly drum turning but I don't know any shops here. Any thoughts or recommendations would be wonderful!

Thanks,
Jen

Welcome Jen. Good that you have two trucks already. Very unlikely that many of us know shops in your area, maybe ask around in your neighbourhood. Good luck.

Leo

Welcome to the Stovebolt Chevyjen. Your at the right place.
If you will ask your questions in another forum like the General Truck talk or maybe the Engine Driveline you will get more answers and responses. Not everyone visits here in the Welcome Forum.

Most of what you have mentioned can be done with a minimal of tools so don't be afraid to try it. With TWO trucks a good investment would be a shop manual and an assembly manual...and there is an online manual done by a fellow bolter. Here is a link to them
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

Be sure you have the brake adjuster backed all the way off...then try using two small pry bars/screw drives one on each side. It probably has a groove worn in the drum.

Go for it. This is all about learning our old trucks and you can do it. Make a plan and take your time..... and ask questions of all the pro's hanging out here.

Thanks!

I talked with a transmission/differential shop and feel more confident about giving it a try. They were really nice and offered to take a look if I got stuck.

Jen

Hi and welcome Chevy Jen,
If you haven't already, I would highly reccomend getting a Repair Manual specific to your trucks. They REALLY come in handy for everything you need to work on them.
I got the CDs for my Repair and Assembly Manuals in PDF format but would also like to have the printed books. I print off pages for the project at hand, which is pretty cool and I don't have to worry about getting them dirty... but the images aren't as clear as would be in the book... just my .02
Good luck and keep us posted!
Got any pics?

Jerry