Drum Brakes leaking 71 fj55

[FJFittyFive]

Hi,

I'm sure that this has been asked before, but I just spent an hour trying to find some info. I found a place a couple-three years ago that had brake wheel cylinders for around $26 each (I don't know if they were rebuilt or not). I constantly refill my reservoir, and my truck brakes poorly with at least 2 pumps. It sat for 3 years before I bought it, so I'm sure they are beyond rebuilding. Any ideas for me to inexpensively "gitrdun?"

Specs:
71 FJ55
350 Chev w/tbi
4 speed trans
33" MTRs
power brake booster (I don't know if it's stock or aftermarket)
Drums front and rear with 2 cylinders per wheel

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Straightjacket]

First things first Allways wanted to do that. That should be super easy to look up on this site,allthough I don't think you'll find anything for $29. Maybe seals. I have a complete set of brakes that are extra I could part out if you need.Shoot me a PM.

 

[amaurer]

Hi,
I found a place a couple-three years ago that had brake wheel cylinders for around $26 each (I don't know if they were rebuilt or not).

First things first Allways wanted to do that. That should be super easy to look up on this site,allthough I don't think you'll find anything for $29. Maybe seals. I have a complete set of brakes that are extra I could part out if you need.Shoot me a PM.

CCOT has em for $29. I imagine they're new aftermarket.
Brake Wheel Cylinders

 

[spdwaver]

Hi,

I'm sure that this has been asked before, but I just spent an hour trying to find some info. I found a place a couple-three years ago that had brake wheel cylinders for around $26 each (I don't know if they were rebuilt or not). I constantly refill my reservoir, and my truck brakes poorly with at least 2 pumps. It sat for 3 years before I bought it, so I'm sure they are beyond rebuilding. Any ideas for me to inexpensively "gitrdun?"

Thanks,
Rob

Have you taken the brakes apart yet? Your cylinders may not be beyond rebuilding if the bores are free of heavy rust and gouges, and may only require a new rebuild kit and some cleaning. I just went through all of my brakes, and discovered that the reason I had to pump my brakes was due to 5 out of 8 cylinders that were locked up and therefore could not be adjusted.

It is best to outright replace the old cylinders with new units, but you can rebuild them to operate as though they were new, so long as the bleeder fittings are in great shape and the cylinder bores are free from heavy rust or scarring.

This really is the best way to go on the cheap: having said that, if you do not mind spending the money, get all new parts so you will not have to question the integrity of what you have.

 

[Straightjacket]

My bad! I thought they were around $100 each,that must be OEM new?

 

[amaurer]

My bad! I thought they were around $100 each,that must be OEM new?

I think the OEM ones are $50-60. You must have some blinged out cylinders

 

[2fpower]

I just bought rebuild kits from Rock auto for about $6 each with the new pistons. Quite a deal. We did two fj40's and 80% of the cylinders were frozen. A touch of heat and a pipe wrench and they all came apart. My 67' was sitting for at least 10 years with zero brake fluid in it. If you think about the fact that you have 8 cylinders in your car, the choice is $50 of parts and some of your time, or $300 or parts.

Also, if your brakes have been leaking that much into the drum, you likely need to replace your pads as they will usually get chewed up.

I found if I took a round wire brush that was about 3/4 inch, wrap it with a scotch brite pad and chuck it into my drill, spray it with carb cleaner, that it would hone out the cylinders beautifully. I had to replace the scotch brite pad three times.

By the time I was to the last cylinders, I was down to about an hour per wheel (after I got the drum off.

Best advice I have is to read this link:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/229294-74-drum-brake-system-tech.html


Also, read this about the CCOT

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...l-cylinders-different-than-oem-they-good.html

 

[FJFittyFive]

Thank you everyone. I figured I'd get some heckling, as that comes with the territory. I appreciate the links and advice. I just figured that since the cylinders leaked that they must be rusted and pitted. It doesn't hurt to rebuild them I guess, since that is much cheaper. I do agree that I want it to be reliable, though, 'cause when I'm in the middle of nowhere a breakdown means less time to break stuff....

 

[Ddraayer]

This thread caught my eye as I just noticed my rear drum brake is leaking, I havn't torn into it but am wanting to try the rebuild route, I'm wondering while I'm at it should I just plan of doing all of them (this is a 72) or just fix what is leaking? My thinking is I could get all the rebuild kits then get into it. Second question, I was planing on putting disks on the front but saw on the CCOT sight that they feel if the drums are rebuilt, they are as good as disks, any opinions?
Thanks and sorry to just jump in here.

 

[FJFittyFive]

I saw that, too, on the CCOT website. One thing that I know is that disc brakes are a heck of lot easier to work on, and are less resistant to fade when submerged in water. Being that CCOT only does drum brakes, they would have a reason to promote drum brakes as better than disc, or they would need to find another business to perform...

I've heard that the disc brakes from a FJ60 front axle will bolt right onto my FJ55 axles. I'm sure that I'd need to replace the master cylinder to one designed to work with front discs, though.