Brakes up grade done - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Myoldtruck · 03-06-2016, 11:00 PM

Ive had my 70 c10 4 months now. Braking with the unknown maintained 4 wheel drums was a little nerve racking, pulled to the right then to the left. so it was time to pull every thing apart. this was a manual drum brake system.

after 45 years there was alot of dirt, rust, grime, ect. I found master cylinder leaking in rear of it, one wheel cylinder wet also. 3 hoses dry rotted. I didnt have the money to do disc brake upgrade this year. So i replaced everything, cleaned everything, new best drum shoes, springs clips ect. Back to oem specs.

I added a power brake booster. I learned how to double flare tubing, from m/c to distribution block. The new front wheel cylinders came with new 10mm bleedrs, unable to get a wrench or socket onit, to close to the spindle, i had to buy speed bleeders to fix that problem.

I test drove the truck the last two days, and it is a pleasure to drive again. Braking effort is very easy, stopping straight. I also added a front sway bar, new front shocks, and greased the front end. Life is good.

**jocko** · 03-06-2016, 11:36 PM

Congrats - always nice to learn a new skill, one you can use time and again. nice to do things on a budget, isn't it? that booster probably makes a ton of difference in drivability. Enjoy!

Cape Codder · 03-07-2016, 09:38 AM

Correctly adjusted drum brakes work fine, have for many years. Just be cautious after driving through puddles. Wet drums will get your attention if you need the brakes quick. We grew up knowing that after driving through deep water to drag the brakes for a hundred yards to dry them out.

Andy4639 · 03-07-2016, 09:53 AM

Good job. Like anything it's a great feeling knowing you did it yourself.

57larry · 03-07-2016, 02:14 PM

congrats. brakes & steering is very important to your safe being

NC_John · 03-07-2016, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Correctly adjusted drum brakes work fine, have for many years. Just be cautious after driving through puddles. Wet drums will get your attention if you need the brakes quick. We grew up knowing that after driving through deep water to drag the brakes for a hundred yards to dry them out.

Mine must always be wet. I have way more motor than brakes (manual drums) and it gets pretty exciting at times.

I have the major parts for my wilwood upgrade but still need to get a few more things to make it happen.

Cape Codder · 03-07-2016, 10:34 PM

I am not saying disc brakes are not better but drums have worked for years for normal driving. I think changing to front disc is one of the better upgrades you can do for a daily driver. As far as rear disc I think they are way over rated as the rear only does about 30% of braking and the parking brakes with disc are nothing but trouble. In New England rear disc parking brakes rust so bad that that to remove a rotor you must practically destroy the inner shoes.

Myoldtruck · 03-08-2016, 07:45 AM

Brakes are doing good so far, no loss of fluid over the weekend. Next project is new tires and a front end alingment. The manual steering isnt that big of a deal for this year, actually turns easy other than a dead stop.

My class 4 hitch came in and I need to start working on that and the brake controller. Going to be towing my airstream trailer this summer if all goes well.

yuccales · 03-08-2016, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myoldtruck

Going to be towing my airstream trailer this summer if all goes well.

Once they are hooked up together, don't forget to post some pics!

03-06-2016, 11:00 PM	#1
Myoldtruck Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mohnton pa. Posts: 208	Brakes up grade done Ive had my 70 c10 4 months now. Braking with the unknown maintained 4 wheel drums was a little nerve racking, pulled to the right then to the left. so it was time to pull every thing apart. this was a manual drum brake system. after 45 years there was alot of dirt, rust, grime, ect. I found master cylinder leaking in rear of it, one wheel cylinder wet also. 3 hoses dry rotted. I didnt have the money to do disc brake upgrade this year. So i replaced everything, cleaned everything, new best drum shoes, springs clips ect. Back to oem specs. I added a power brake booster. I learned how to double flare tubing, from m/c to distribution block. The new front wheel cylinders came with new 10mm bleedrs, unable to get a wrench or socket onit, to close to the spindle, i had to buy speed bleeders to fix that problem. I test drove the truck the last two days, and it is a pleasure to drive again. Braking effort is very easy, stopping straight. I also added a front sway bar, new front shocks, and greased the front end. Life is good.

03-06-2016, 11:36 PM	#2
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,935	Re: Brakes up grade done Congrats - always nice to learn a new skill, one you can use time and again. nice to do things on a budget, isn't it? that booster probably makes a ton of difference in drivability. Enjoy!

03-07-2016, 09:38 AM	#3
Cape Codder Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Centerville,Ma. Posts: 1,223	Re: Brakes up grade done Correctly adjusted drum brakes work fine, have for many years. Just be cautious after driving through puddles. Wet drums will get your attention if you need the brakes quick. We grew up knowing that after driving through deep water to drag the brakes for a hundred yards to dry them out.

03-07-2016, 09:53 AM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Brakes up grade done Good job. Like anything it's a great feeling knowing you did it yourself. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-07-2016, 02:14 PM	#5
57larry Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,160	Re: Brakes up grade done congrats. brakes & steering is very important to your safe being

03-07-2016, 10:34 PM	#7
Cape Codder Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Centerville,Ma. Posts: 1,223	Re: Brakes up grade done I am not saying disc brakes are not better but drums have worked for years for normal driving. I think changing to front disc is one of the better upgrades you can do for a daily driver. As far as rear disc I think they are way over rated as the rear only does about 30% of braking and the parking brakes with disc are nothing but trouble. In New England rear disc parking brakes rust so bad that that to remove a rotor you must practically destroy the inner shoes.

03-08-2016, 07:45 AM	#8
Myoldtruck Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mohnton pa. Posts: 208	Re: Brakes up grade done Brakes are doing good so far, no loss of fluid over the weekend. Next project is new tires and a front end alingment. The manual steering isnt that big of a deal for this year, actually turns easy other than a dead stop. My class 4 hitch came in and I need to start working on that and the brake controller. Going to be towing my airstream trailer this summer if all goes well.



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