3" Brake conversion time

[CDegner]

I have noticed my back brakes seemed to be out of adjustment. Today, I took my little one fishing for a couple hours and decided I was ging to adjust my brakes. Put the jack underneath and did not like what I saw at all.



The passenger side drum is covered in grease. Looks like I blew another axle seal. This truck has eaten them like candy. I have replaced them at least 5 times.



The wife just says go get the money out of savings. This time, I'm putting the 3" shoes on. The drums are fairly new so I will get the little lip taken off the drum by a friend of mine with a machine shop.



I would like to know why this thing has always eaten seals. The vent is clear so that is not the problem. Oh, well. Let the fun begin!



Carl

 

[AlK]

Carl,

Pull the axle and check it for wear you may have to use a speedy sleeve. To prevent any damage to the seal it is important that the hub assembly be properly centered when sliding it on to the axle - in other words lift the hub high enough so that the bearing assembly will slide over the axle shaft and then slide the hub in place. One other suggestion is make sure that you clean out the oil slingers in the hubs if there is any oil left it will seem as if the new seals are leaking.

Al

 

[CDegner]

Alk,

Been there done that. Axles aren't worn at all. fingernail cannot even detect a groove. I have been careful every time I have put a new set of seals in. They have lasted anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. It just seems to be hit or miss.



It is definitely the seals leaking. Just finished pulling the asles/drums. There is oil/dirt/grease all caked up in there. Like I said, I detected it by seeing the back of the drums covered with oil.



Oh well. Gonna go get new seals/3" brake shoes/wheel cylinders tomorrow. Gotta get this done before heading up to PDR for the 1st gen day! I'm even gonna try to clean the rig up before then. Most people probably won't even recognize my rig!



Carl

 

[dpuckett]

AlK-

Full floating axles, inboard drums. Seal doesnt contact the axle shaft, and he has to pull it to get to the brakes, anyway. Just a clarification. I was till about the 3rd time going over it.



Carl-

Check your diff fluid (pull the cover, not just dip your finger in the hole), esp if you have a LSD. If the clutch material, or shims/ bearing pieces are getting to the axle end, that could be takin out your seals.



You are putting the seals in correctly, arent you?

Any grease/ oil on the sealing surface before installation?

What brand are you getting?

What about wheel bearing preload, final torque?

Check the spindle for nicks, hooks, etc, that can eat sealing surfaces. Make sure the spindle is clean and smooth.

I'm sure I'll think of something else to check. I've had these troubels before; you are not alone.



Daniel

 

[AlK]

Daniel,

Full floating axles, inboard drums. Seal doesnt contact the axle shaft, and he has to pull it to get to the brakes, anyway.



You are correct. What I meant what was the axle tube.



Carl,

By the way I use Chicago Rawhide seal # 28746.



--

Al

 

[CDegner]

Hmmm.

I've always set the spindle seal so thatit is flush with the drum. Should it be set deeper than this? That might be my problem.



ideas?



Carl

 

[Tim1]

Ditto on the seal number! If the tube is not scathed, i would especially speedi sleeve to prevent the eventual groove. I would suspect maybe preload on the bearings if using the wedge method, if all your procedures are done with due dillagence. If you have done this 5 times with the same results, we need to know more to figure out how to help. Tim

 

[CDegner]

Originally posted by Tim1

I would suspect maybe preload on the bearings if using the wedge method, if all your procedures are done with due dillagence. If you have done this 5 times with the same results, we need to know more to figure out how to help. Tim

Wedge method? The only procedure I am aware of is to torque the axle nut to 120-140 ft-lb with 2 9/16" socket and back off 1/3 turn. I have never seen or heard of a different procedure for this.



Tomorow, the drums get the little ridge removed for the 3" shoes.



Carl

 

[Tim1]

Carl, in the First gen discont parts section I list all the parts you need to adjust the preload to zero and double nut with the bend over tab. Much more accurate. The little wedge drives into the nylon of the nylok. Tim

 

[CDegner]

I think I have discovered shy i have been through so many spindle seals. When I picked my drums up from having them turned for the 3" shoes, the machinest asked if they had ever been turned before. I told him they had not. He said he tried every way possible to mount them but no matter what position they were mounted, they were out of round. He at first thought the bearing races may have been out but once he checked them, he determined that the drums were out of round and turned them accordingly. Hopefully, this problem has been solved. I have my fingers crossed!!



Carl