Thems the brakes

[karl head]

Well its been one of those days while trying to get my panel ready to come home. I discovered it had three different sized tires and rims on it 14's 15's and 16's and a stuck drum on the drivers side rear. so after three trips to the local pic a part and an assortment of wheel and rims. I finally found four off a 75 new yorker. not the best but at least they can get me home and the offset is good. then came the brakes. whoever said they were a bit@@ were not joking. I did finally get the drum/ hub off but I totaled the drum which is to bad because it was like new as were the shoes and hardware. the drums were riveted to the hub is this common for the 48, will need to know as I will have to replace at some point

[karl head]

I was in a hurry when I tried to pull the first brake drum off of my '48 1/2 ton, used the wrong kind of puller, and warped the drum. I reckon the drums are riveted to the hubs on all Pilot-House trucks, so care has to be exercised when handling them as replacements are hard to find. There has been some discussion as to using trailer brake drums as replacements as they are close in dimensions, but I haven't gotten around to verifying that. Since it's getting harder to find replacement drums, when the time comes, I'd probably just convert the front brakes to disc and replace the entire rear axle with something from a Dakota or Cherokee, as those parts are still readily available. At any rate, ruining that 1st drum, then trying to find a replacement, learn'd me real quick on the need to exercise patience when reviving one of these old beasts. When I started working on my '49 1 ton, I took it slow and did my research first. I eventually found out about VPW and how many of the Power Wagon powertrain parts fit the 1 tons, what special tools I needed, and knowing what parts to soak in penetrating oil & what parts to hit with a hammer. The brakes on the '49 were a lot less painful to deal with than the '48, as I only had to fiddle with them once.

I knew it was going to be a problem but I was unable to source the correct puller and the seller would like it out of his yard soon. Is the a way to mount a newer style drum on the old hub....just wondering.

[48Dodger]

Here's what the special tool looks like.

http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/rearbrakes.htm

Great article by David Pollack

48D

[Jeff Balazs]

Karl;

Oh ya.....there are some fun little surprises waiting for you with one of these old trucks. It is best to treat them as character builders. You have discovered your first one. Rear hubs. Fun stuff....need the correct puller and most likely heat. Count yourself lucky if all of your wheel studs are intact. I had 3 broken ones on one hub......try using the correct puller then.

Some of the other choice items you may (are likely to) to run into include: removing a badly corroded water distribution tube.......removing the steering wheel.......broken or frozen manifold studs.....and the list goes on.

And on.

If you are a Mopar newbie like me then there are some.... let's call it "unusual" construction methods employed in certain parts of these trucks that take a bit of getting used to. Don't get me wrong, these are very cool trucks..... but I would be very surprised if you don't find yourself scratching your head and wondering what they were thinking?.... at least a few times a month. Oh ya......the parts situation is a bit more "involved" than let's say a GM or Ford product of similar vintage. Not horrible but not quite as easy either.

Don't worry you will get it. Take your time (when you can)...ask lot's of questions....someone will help. And have fun.

Jeff

[karl head]

Well Jeff

If I get anymore character I'm going to have enough for a complete remake of the muppets.

lol....Karl

[Jeff Balazs]

Karl;

Me too.

I was trying to put some of the "challenges" in a nice way.

Once you get it home...... get yourself some good penetrating oil and soak every fastener you can find.........then spend several hours reading through the past threads here. Learn how to use the search feature. Darn near every item you will need has been well gone over. This forum is by far the most valuable tool you will come across.

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

Don't worry you will get it. Take your time (when you can)...ask lot's of questions....someone will help. And have fun.

Jeff

Take your time is one of the most an important things to learn. Some jobs are best accomplished by research and patience. Other tasks are best accomplished by taking as long as you possibly can, if that makes any sense.

Good luck with your Panel Truck. Ultimately what are your plans for it?

Hank

[ggdad1951]

Karl;

Me too.

I was trying to put some of the "challenges" in a nice way.

Once you get it home...... get yourself some good penetrating oil and soak every fastener you can find.........then spend several hours reading through the past threads here. Learn how to use the search feature. Darn near every item you will need has been well gone over. This forum is by far the most valuable tool you will come across.

Jeff

yes, this! And get some different pentrating oils (Aero-Kroil, BP Blaster, etc.), some work better than others (IMO) for different applications. Get a nice MAP gas torch as well, a little heat goes a long way I've learned (the hard way) to help free "conglomerated" fasteners.

There ia s LOT to search thru on the forum and sometimes (more often IMO) you won't find it right way in a search depending on what you search for/what things are called out in threads. Don't be afraid to ask the question if you get frustrated, you might get a few "do a search dummy" coments, but those who've been here awhile "know" or remember just enough to make the search easier for themselves and what's an easy search for them is/can be difficult for a newbie.

Edited May 16, 2012 by ggdad1951

[pflaming]

After SEARCH, I go to ADVANCED SEARCH, and select (Pilot-house) that eliminates the P15 posts. I read them later, lots of crossover tips.

I wish one could put a search request in quotation marks and get just what one wants.

[karl head]

After SEARCH, I go to ADVANCED SEARCH, and select (Pilot-house) that eliminates the P15 posts. I read them later, lots of crossover tips.

I wish one could put a search request in quotation marks and get just what one wants.

Thanks for the tips and support I can all ready tell I've hooked up with a great bunch