Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Well guys I just finished (well earlier today) a rear brake job on the old ghost and am I relieved!!!
This all started with me trying to get a state inspection sticker. They guy drove it, came back and said that the parking brake did not hold in drive. Also that the brakes would fade if you sat at idle and the truck would creep forward. Shortened version "It Failed". Took it home and figured it just needed tweeking on the rear brakes. I knew that I had a leaking seal on the left side, but when I could not get the right side to tighten up I figured something was wrong. So I gather up all Needed parts (famous last words) and began.
This was only the second floating axel I have ever done a brake job on and on the first I was chief beer drinker/critic. Took off right side first and found that the cable that is called an override parking break spring, was unhooked and flopping. No parts gone but I did not know where or what it hooked to. No problem pull the other side and the mystery will be answered!?!? No luck, the other side was exactly the same plus covered in grease (axel). It is after hours so I decide to wait till the next day so I can get an exploded picture to make sure I put it back correctly.
Ever try finding an exploded picture (or regular picture) of a Dana 70??? You will probably have better luck photographing the elusive Yetti of southern Mongolia. Went to two different dodge dealers and they didn't have one (who would have thought). Finally while browsing the Haynes manuals at local parts house, found very poorly detailed picture for a forD f-250. Didn't buy the book just memorized the picture. Went home and had to stop to babysit, go to grocery store, pick up daughters at dance class, and return movies to Blockbuster (Damm it women I wear the pants in this house). By the time I get restarted it is 7:30 pm and I figure no problem, through in 2 hours. I would have been except for that stupid wire they call the Parking brake cable. If I ever meet the Dana engineer who designed this piece of dung I will personally *itch slap him/her!!!! Finally completely finished at 10:30 pm but no one around to help bleed it. Had my father come over this morning and all was done in short order.
I guess I never realized how bad my brakes had become. Now I touch them and I am kissing the windshield. Also I had to go with the 1" Wheel cylinders instead of the larger 1 ton models (1 1/8" I believe). The larger ones would not allow enough travel of the innerds (technical term) without contacting part of the backing plate. Also went with the 12"x3" pads. This thing stops better than new. The last time rear brakes were done on this truck was early 98. My dad owned it then and some joker charged him $850. 00 for a brake job that was suppose to include new everything (wheel cylinders, shoes, and all assorted parts). Also did i mention that the adjusters were put on backward on the right side. This was causing tension to be released when I thought I was tightening to adjust the brakes.
Anyway I am more of a person for looking adversity in the face and beating it!!!!!!
------------------
92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 220,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!
This all started with me trying to get a state inspection sticker. They guy drove it, came back and said that the parking brake did not hold in drive. Also that the brakes would fade if you sat at idle and the truck would creep forward. Shortened version "It Failed". Took it home and figured it just needed tweeking on the rear brakes. I knew that I had a leaking seal on the left side, but when I could not get the right side to tighten up I figured something was wrong. So I gather up all Needed parts (famous last words) and began.
This was only the second floating axel I have ever done a brake job on and on the first I was chief beer drinker/critic. Took off right side first and found that the cable that is called an override parking break spring, was unhooked and flopping. No parts gone but I did not know where or what it hooked to. No problem pull the other side and the mystery will be answered!?!? No luck, the other side was exactly the same plus covered in grease (axel). It is after hours so I decide to wait till the next day so I can get an exploded picture to make sure I put it back correctly.
Ever try finding an exploded picture (or regular picture) of a Dana 70??? You will probably have better luck photographing the elusive Yetti of southern Mongolia. Went to two different dodge dealers and they didn't have one (who would have thought). Finally while browsing the Haynes manuals at local parts house, found very poorly detailed picture for a forD f-250. Didn't buy the book just memorized the picture. Went home and had to stop to babysit, go to grocery store, pick up daughters at dance class, and return movies to Blockbuster (Damm it women I wear the pants in this house). By the time I get restarted it is 7:30 pm and I figure no problem, through in 2 hours. I would have been except for that stupid wire they call the Parking brake cable. If I ever meet the Dana engineer who designed this piece of dung I will personally *itch slap him/her!!!! Finally completely finished at 10:30 pm but no one around to help bleed it. Had my father come over this morning and all was done in short order.
I guess I never realized how bad my brakes had become. Now I touch them and I am kissing the windshield. Also I had to go with the 1" Wheel cylinders instead of the larger 1 ton models (1 1/8" I believe). The larger ones would not allow enough travel of the innerds (technical term) without contacting part of the backing plate. Also went with the 12"x3" pads. This thing stops better than new. The last time rear brakes were done on this truck was early 98. My dad owned it then and some joker charged him $850. 00 for a brake job that was suppose to include new everything (wheel cylinders, shoes, and all assorted parts). Also did i mention that the adjusters were put on backward on the right side. This was causing tension to be released when I thought I was tightening to adjust the brakes.
Anyway I am more of a person for looking adversity in the face and beating it!!!!!!
------------------
92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 220,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!
