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#3111 11/16/2001 12:26 AM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 7 Member | | Member Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 7 | Hi all, Has anyone out there converted a late 5T's rear brake set up to a later SELF ADJUSTING rear brake set up? I've got discs up front, but I would love to avoid having to adjust the rear shoes if it's possible. I don't see any need to go to disc in the back. Thanks -alfie
-alfie
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 587 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 587 | What's wrong with adjusting? should only need to do it every 2 years or so, maybe less if you don't drive it much. Anyway, seems if you had a 51 or up with bendix brakes you could get later model backing plates and hardware with adjusters to change yours out. I'm not sure what year they started self adjusters, but I know the shoes cover almost 2 decades of truck years. Maybe you won't even need the backing plates changed, maybe you just need the other hardware to put on shoes with small cable and arms and ////// whatever it used.
G.L. Grumpy's Old Iron Ranch Huntington, IN 46750
MM R tractor, Speedex and Power King tractors
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 137 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 137 | What is the range of fit for my 41' half ton. It had a leaking rear cylinder and shoes on that side are pretty saturated with brake fluid. Can I just take them to Napa and match them up? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | If you ae lucky, great, it's always quicker and better to just get new slaves, shoes, drums, than fooling around with wornout and soaked parts, if available.
If not, rear axles with modern brakes and lower numerically axle ratios are cheap and plentiful.
'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. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | 1941 would have been the huck brakes. Not sure if there were any changes in them between your truck and 1950 when they chnged over to Bendix or not. I should think replacement or rebuild kits are available for the wheel cylinders. I believe you are only allowed .004 thousands on honing a wheel cylinder. So if the bores are pitted then you'll need to replace them or have them sleeved. Anyone had their brake wheel cylinders sleeved with stainless or brass? I believe White Post did them in brass, but did see others offering slainless sleeves.
John | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I have converted Bendix brakes to self adjust many times. I order kits for a 65 PU, although they were used for many years. Because the adjuster wheel will be on the rear side, on both sides, it is necessary to drill and slot two of the backing plates if you want access to all adjusters.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Anyone had their brake wheel cylinders sleeved with stainless or brass? John I have Hagen's sleeve all of my cylinders with stainless.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 568 | I'd recommend removable plugs if you drill the backing plates. Especially on a daily driver. Nasty crud on the roads. I have self adjusting drums but I still like to check once in a while. Safety third
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