How hard to rebuild rear brakes. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

THE "10" SILVERADO · 02-21-2013, 11:32 PM

How hard is it to do any how much should I expect to pay for parts? I'll be doing the labor myself. Just got the new engine running and decided to look at the rear brakes before I take it to get inspected. The shoes are worn down to the rivits that hold them together and everything is covered in thick brown brake fluid/mud so it's pretty much like someone took some lube and wiped it ALL OVER THE DRUMS AND SHOES. No wonder my truck didn't like stopping....I think that I can have the drums turned, but other than that what should I look to replace? I imagine the cylinder and shoes but what else?

71swb4x4 · 02-21-2013, 11:39 PM

Drums, shoes and cylinders to start. But, the lube all over is concerning, you will want to check the axle seals if you really think it was lube. It would stink to put all that time and money into the brakes just to coat them with oil again.
It's been a long time since I did axle seals but I think it's pretty easy. Pull the rearend cover, pull the axle pin, slide axles in, remove clip, stick arm in old smelly gear oil, get in hair as you try to get arm out of oil, slide out from under truck, pull axles, pry seal out, carefully pound new one in with mallet and wood block. Put if all back together with fresh gear oil. Put brakes back together.

THE "10" SILVERADO · 02-21-2013, 11:52 PM

Might give you an idea.....this was on the drivers side.

geezer#99 · 02-22-2013, 12:14 AM

This might help.
http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake

king-918 · 02-22-2013, 12:34 AM

Personally I say switch too disc, and buy a set of brackets from captainfab. But anyways look at about 200-400. And know you will probably be replacing drums, wheel cylinders and or axle seals.
Posted via Mobile Device

donut · 02-22-2013, 05:54 AM

If your going all the way, should be less than 100.00 for both sides (or around there abouts)
If it were me, axle seals would be on the list. This would also include a new hardware kit, springs etc. (may be pushing the 100.00 bill if you factor in gear oil, seals are cheap)

How's the emergency brake? Any issues, now is the time to address them.

Of course, price will vary depending on location and if you want all the "gee whiz" gimmicks.

02-21-2013, 11:32 PM	#1
THE "10" SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Marble Falls, TX Posts: 1,575	How hard to rebuild rear brakes. How hard is it to do any how much should I expect to pay for parts? I'll be doing the labor myself. Just got the new engine running and decided to look at the rear brakes before I take it to get inspected. The shoes are worn down to the rivits that hold them together and everything is covered in thick brown brake fluid/mud so it's pretty much like someone took some lube and wiped it ALL OVER THE DRUMS AND SHOES. No wonder my truck didn't like stopping....I think that I can have the drums turned, but other than that what should I look to replace? I imagine the cylinder and shoes but what else? __________________ Michael Re-starting the neglected '77...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=425464&page=9

02-21-2013, 11:39 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: How hard to rebuild rear brakes. Drums, shoes and cylinders to start. But, the lube all over is concerning, you will want to check the axle seals if you really think it was lube. It would stink to put all that time and money into the brakes just to coat them with oil again. It's been a long time since I did axle seals but I think it's pretty easy. Pull the rearend cover, pull the axle pin, slide axles in, remove clip, stick arm in old smelly gear oil, get in hair as you try to get arm out of oil, slide out from under truck, pull axles, pry seal out, carefully pound new one in with mallet and wood block. Put if all back together with fresh gear oil. Put brakes back together. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

02-21-2013, 11:52 PM	#3
THE "10" SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Marble Falls, TX Posts: 1,575	Re: How hard to rebuild rear brakes. Might give you an idea.....this was on the drivers side. Attached Images __________________ Michael Re-starting the neglected '77...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=425464&page=9

02-22-2013, 12:14 AM	#4
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,733	Re: How hard to rebuild rear brakes. This might help. http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake

02-22-2013, 12:34 AM	#5
king-918 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Posts: 1,056	Re: How hard to rebuild rear brakes. Personally I say switch too disc, and buy a set of brackets from captainfab. But anyways look at about 200-400. And know you will probably be replacing drums, wheel cylinders and or axle seals. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ <----Christopher My Tardis Oh yeah I'm really a Toyota guy, but had some stuff sitting around. Oklahoma

02-22-2013, 05:54 AM	#6
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: How hard to rebuild rear brakes. If your going all the way, should be less than 100.00 for both sides (or around there abouts) If it were me, axle seals would be on the list. This would also include a new hardware kit, springs etc. (may be pushing the 100.00 bill if you factor in gear oil, seals are cheap) How's the emergency brake? Any issues, now is the time to address them. Of course, price will vary depending on location and if you want all the "gee whiz" gimmicks. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

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