F3 Brake replacement information??
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From: McLouth
F3 Brake replacement information??
I'm in the process of fixing the brakes on my 48 F3...I know the wheel cylinders leak and the left rear brake is stuck. I got the rear drums off (thanks to tips I found on FTE) and I'm wondering if there are any tutorials that anyone knows about that can help me take the brakes shoes and wheel cylinders apart and put back together...been searching FTE but haven't found anything yet...any advice/assistance appreciated. Jeff K
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
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From: Western NY
If you have one of these trucks, I would hihgly recommend spending a little bit on the CD or Bound version of the Ford Pickup shop manul. Many suppliers have this:
Search Within MAC's Antique Auto Parts
It will have much of the information you are looking for.
As for taking the shoes and such off, take lots of pictures and do one side at a time so that you have references to put it all back together again.
Search Within MAC's Antique Auto Parts
It will have much of the information you are looking for.
As for taking the shoes and such off, take lots of pictures and do one side at a time so that you have references to put it all back together again.
Laughing Gas
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Jeff, have you compared the price of the rebuild kits to replacement cylinders? Sometimes the stock cylinders are pitted and by the time you hone them out, replace the parts, and put them back together, you still have leaking cylinders. My experience is the option of replacing the originals may give you better reliability in the end and the cost difference is minor.
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From: McLouth
Outlaw 56, I'm beginning to see the wisdom in your logic...spoke to a local mechanic who owns the parts store in town...he told me the same thing. I'm all about doing things once...if it cost more that's a small sacrifice to make to ensure reliability. Jeff.
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Using the other side for reference is how I learned that they're designed symmetrically via front/rear, not by left/right (as viewed).
Big shoe On Back ("BOB") is important.
Big shoe On Back ("BOB") is important.
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From: McLouth
Got all my drums off...quite a chore I must admit...BFH technique works best it seems. I'm pleased to discover that all my brake shoes are serviceable...just need new wheel cylinders...ordered a complete set. Thought about rebuilding them but decided to just go with new ones to make sure I have a good foundation to work with.
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More Turbo
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From: Roanoke, VA
I don't intend to hijack this thread, and maybe my question should go in a new thread but I'll go ahead and ask. I just replaced the wheel cylinders on my F4 and reinstalled the shoes as they were already- which was big shoe on front. If these were installed wrong when I got the truck it looks like I'll need to go back in and swap them front to back, or I could just drive it in reverse for optimum brake performance. 
I couldn't find this in the manual but could have overlooked it.
I couldn't find this in the manual but could have overlooked it.
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Looks like there's a touch-up in your future. Ouch. That's hard work no matter how you slice it.
Edit - see https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ttle-shoe.html.
I may be dead wrong. I hate that, but, such is life. Back to the thread at hand..
Edit - see https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ttle-shoe.html.
I may be dead wrong. I hate that, but, such is life. Back to the thread at hand..
Last edited by The Horvaths; Oct 4, 2013 at 10:39 PM. Reason: Ambiguosity.
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Got all my drums off...quite a chore I must admit...BFH technique works best it seems. I'm pleased to discover that all my brake shoes are serviceable...just need new wheel cylinders...ordered a complete set. Thought about rebuilding them but decided to just go with new ones to make sure I have a good foundation to work with.
That said, farmers and old timers would blast them with a torch to boil off fluid or grease and decontaminate them.
I will not publicly advocate that. Honest..
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