Melting shoes? Possible? or what? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Luvlegs · 05-07-2008, 07:28 AM

Pulled the first rear drum tonight (picked up new pads and shoes, 72) - it looks like something melted in there! It's taking forever to get it cleaned... brake cleaner didn't touch it, so I tried good ol' laquer thinner... it was like stirring cold, hot glue. 3 rounds with oven cleaner and it's starting to come around.... what a mess! Any ideas? From the pics, it looks like the edges of the shoes but that might just be where it's building up. The drum came right off real easy - first one in 40+ years of trying

It only has a very slight ridge at the edge closest to the frame. My very first thought was rear end lube because it smelled like it when I first pulled the hub but it sure doesn't look like it.

On a side note, the cylinder looks nice and dry and I'm never down any fluid so should I just leave it alone or ????

As always, thanks for any input.

Blue_71 · 05-07-2008, 07:44 AM

hard to say without actually seeing it in person, but that looks like the nice concotion you get when you mix brake dust, heat, and rear end lube

soba_03 · 05-07-2008, 12:19 PM

I would have to agree it looks like maybe axel shaft seal gone bad. Looks like burnt grease or oil. Actually had the same problem with 91 Silverado and haven't had it on my 68 but it looks the same.

GOOD LUCK FINDING PROBLEM.

Bishops Trucks · 05-07-2008, 12:56 PM

I have to agree with the guys. I've never seen anything like that.

bad6772 · 05-07-2008, 01:11 PM

WOW........and imo i would replace the wheel cylinder.....your already there....and they are relatively cheap.....

soba_03 · 05-07-2008, 01:55 PM

Well you could look at it as a blessing, that brake overhaul that you could never justify... It's looking at ya... all you need is a spring kit, new wheel cylinder, you already have the shoes, pull the axel shaft, and whille your at it clean and paint the backing plate..... I remember it was PITA to get it cleaned up....it was under warranty so All I had to do was throw on another set of shoes and drive it to the dealership....

good luck..... OR you could go disc!!!

Luvlegs · 05-07-2008, 02:48 PM

Guess I'm going to give the truck a new name but I ALREADY have a BOAT (Bring On Another Thousand...) and THAT'S already living up to it's name ... grrrrr one of these days, one of these days....
Thanks for the input everyone.

05-07-2008, 07:28 AM	#1
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Melting shoes? Possible? or what? Pulled the first rear drum tonight (picked up new pads and shoes, 72) - it looks like something melted in there! It's taking forever to get it cleaned... brake cleaner didn't touch it, so I tried good ol' laquer thinner... it was like stirring cold, hot glue. 3 rounds with oven cleaner and it's starting to come around.... what a mess! Any ideas? From the pics, it looks like the edges of the shoes but that might just be where it's building up. The drum came right off real easy - first one in 40+ years of trying It only has a very slight ridge at the edge closest to the frame. My very first thought was rear end lube because it smelled like it when I first pulled the hub but it sure doesn't look like it. On a side note, the cylinder looks nice and dry and I'm never down any fluid so should I just leave it alone or ???? As always, thanks for any input. Attached Images __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

05-07-2008, 12:19 PM	#3
soba_03 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fairdale, Kentucky Posts: 560	Re: Melting shoes? Possible? or what? I would have to agree it looks like maybe axel shaft seal gone bad. Looks like burnt grease or oil. Actually had the same problem with 91 Silverado and haven't had it on my 68 but it looks the same. GOOD LUCK FINDING PROBLEM.

05-07-2008, 12:56 PM	#4
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,730	Re: Melting shoes? Possible? or what? I have to agree with the guys. I've never seen anything like that. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

05-07-2008, 01:11 PM	#5
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: Melting shoes? Possible? or what? WOW........and imo i would replace the wheel cylinder.....your already there....and they are relatively cheap.....

05-07-2008, 01:55 PM	#6
soba_03 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fairdale, Kentucky Posts: 560	Re: Melting shoes? Possible? or what? Well you could look at it as a blessing, that brake overhaul that you could never justify... It's looking at ya... all you need is a spring kit, new wheel cylinder, you already have the shoes, pull the axel shaft, and whille your at it clean and paint the backing plate..... I remember it was PITA to get it cleaned up....it was under warranty so All I had to do was throw on another set of shoes and drive it to the dealership.... good luck..... OR you could go disc!!!

05-07-2008, 02:48 PM	#7
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: Melting shoes? Possible? or what? Guess I'm going to give the truck a new name but I ALREADY have a BOAT (Bring On Another Thousand...) and THAT'S already living up to it's name ... grrrrr one of these days, one of these days.... Thanks for the input everyone. __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!



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