69 Chevy C20 HO52 full floating rear end drum brake removal/installation.

[Saclandman]

Thanks for putting this up. I've been hoping to find a step by step process for this when I do my 67 C20. The manual was not helpful to me.

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by Saclandman

Thanks for putting this up. I've been hoping to find a step by step process for this when I do my 67 C20. The manual was not helpful to me.

No problem I felt the same with the books. The torque specs were nice once I found them!

[jocko]

threads like this are great - thanks for taking the time to take good pics and to do the write-up. Have seen these on the Dana, but not HO52, great information.

[FirstOwner69]

Great write-up!

For those interested, here's a picture of the "socket" I used to be sure I torqued the nut properly. I bought it at the local Carquest store.

[treveiger]

^^^Thank you! Idk why I couldn't post it.

[terry b]

Great job. Thank you.

[Duluth67]

Thanks! I was going to say, the e-brake actuation hardware was super hard for me to find (as it was missing when I went to redo my rear brakes). I had to buy a whole rear end just to get the components.

[treveiger]

Hey no problem I'm just glad people can use the information. I usually don't mind brake work but something always comes up

[Stocker]

Thanks for a great how-to writeup! Wish I had it to refer to the 2 or 3 rimes I've had mine apart. I just laid things out in the order I removed them, then reassembled in reverse order. Used the armstrong method of torquing, and no thread sealer, but it has held together just fine. Bookmarked for future reference!

[Vintage Windmills]

Good writeup. Were you confident the bearings stayed clean through the process? Or did you clean them and I missed it. THanks for posting this!

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Good writeup. Were you confident the bearings stayed clean through the process? Or did you clean them and I missed it. THanks for posting this!

Yep I never posted that sorry! I did clean bearings. Whatever I do I always clean what I'm working on. Makes it last longer and look nicer. That's why projects take me longer then most.

[Longhorn 70]

Originally Posted by treveiger

Step 6. Hub Bearing Adjustment

Before checking bearing adjustment, make sure brakes are fully released and do not drag. Tighten inner adjusting nut to correct specified torque (50-60 Ft. Lbs.) at the same time rotating hub to make sure all bearing surfaces are in contact. Next install tanged nut lock against the inner adjusting nut. Align inner adjusting nut so short tang of nut lock will engage nearest slot on inner adjusting nut. If it is necessary to rotate the adjusting nut to make tang align correctly, rotate the adjusting nut slightly clockwise for barrel roller bearings(up to 1/8"). Install outer locknut and tighten to correct specified torque(175 Ft. Lbs.). Then bend long tang of nut lock over into slot of outer nut. This method of adjusting will result in the proper bearing loading, and wheel should turn freely.

175 ft/lbs??? I don't know if my torque wrench goes that high.

[derotoreut]

Good job and excellent write up. You should be commended for the time and detail you took to write this up. Nice work.

[bollybib]

Good job. I like the closeup detail you got on the pics. This will be useful even for those who have done this job several times.

[Longhorn 70]

Thanks for the write-up. You're making me want to do the back brakes.

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by Longhorn 70

175 ft/lbs??? I don't know if my torque wrench goes that high.

Ya it was hard, I had to stabilize while pushing but it worked.

Originally Posted by bollybib

Good job. I like the closeup detail you got on the pics. This will be useful even for those who have done this job several times.

I used a lot of the information you had in your build for when I did mine. That helped a lot!

Originally Posted by Longhorn 70

Thanks for the write-up. You're making me want to do the back brakes.

Not hard just take your time, when it's done it's nice

[seth7843]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. I did the front and back brakes on my C20 about 6 months ago. This would have been very helpful. I wish I would have added up how much I spent in total. I think I could have swapped in a whole front end with discs from a 73-87 truck and possibly found a different and newer rear axle/disc brakes for a comparable price. HO52 parts are getting expensive!

[65standard]

When I look at your final assembly picture on post 15, I see you're missing a spring. I also see that when you first removed the drum, the spring was missing then.

[65standard]

This spring on the right is missing on your setup.

[KevinK7]

Reviving an old thread I was directed to. Great write-up on this, ...going to bookmark

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

Reviving an old thread I was directed to. Great write-up on this, ...going to bookmark

Thank you, the truck has honestly been in hibernation the past few years for the most part aside from the occasional upgrade here and there. Hoping that changes once I move this spring 👍.

[Andy4639]

I'm going to be doing this myself in a few weeks are so. Nice write up sir, thanks.
I'm going to be doing a full front end swap to disc brakes also.

[Equipman]

Great info!
I made the mistake of throwing away my two parking break levers with the old set of shoes. Won't pass safety inspection without them. I've got a 12" dana 60 drum. Would you folks know if any break levers from smaller drums would work? I can find a bunch for 9.5" but no luck with the 12"

[bradmodela]

Man awesome write up. Just finished doing my HO72 today. Your info really helped for a first time 1 ton owner.
Also opted for new bearings, and decided to go ahead and do the wheel stud upgrade...Dorman part number# 610-193 for the studs. Drilled my hubs to .609 or 39/64 and pressed them in with punch and hammer.

[KevinK7]

Since I'm going to be tackling this myself in the next couple weeks (and while I'm looking up some parts) I'll add them for reference for others.

Fel-Pro 55350 Axle Flange Gasket:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER


I am also looking for the axle seal if anyone knows the part# (that press into the backside of the drum/hub). Not sure I need them, but if I have it apart, I'd like to replace.

Thanks,

Kevin