When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I can not get the front brake drums off my '47 toner. The manual shows the adjustment bolts at the bottom of wheel but the front looks like rivets. The back wheels look like what is in the manual. This is a barn find truck that has been setting for over 25 years. We cleaned up the fluids, replaced the master brake cylinder and we could not get the front drum off to replace the wheel cylinders. When the brakes pumped up after installing the master cylinder we put some gas in her. After a few tries she cranked right up so we took her for a slow ride. After grinding a few gears she blow the front wheel cylinder so now we have to get it off. My son and I are trying to decide if we should keep her all natural of do a frame off. She is complete right down to the hand crank. So i'm sure we will be asking alot of questions. Thanks in advance for the help and suggestions.
Pictures will help determine what you have if anything other than the normal. Sometimes it is necessary to do a bit of destructive disassembly on these old units, cut bolts, etc.
In deciding what to do with the old truck, remember they are only original once. Not that a restoration is a bad thing.
got the driver's side drum off. Now I know how they were installed. One issue down but now I need to find some brake shoes and possibly a couple of drums. nothing available from normal parts stores. Anyone know of a source?
try job-lot in queens, ny. for drums. you might even be able to have them cut. as for shoes--any reputable heavy truck brake shop should be able to re-line them. ask your local jobber, (napa, etc.), they can tell you who does this in your area.
I'll check with top job and with my local NAPA store.
Any thoughts about changing over to disc brakes, I keep seeing adds about kits that fit the exsisting spindles? Would that require all new brakelines or just the master cylinder? I have so much to learn about these trucks and so little time??