I need to replace a rear wheel cylinder on my 70 Maverick and was hoping I could get some help here. What happend was one day I was going to bleed the brakes but the head of the bleeder screw broke off so I tried using a easy out bit, and ended up puncturing the wheel cylinder to the point where brake fluid was leaking out. Stupid, I know. So my questions are can I just order a new wheel cylinder and hook it up to all the existing parts or do i have to replace other parts? And I have no knowledge about drum brakes so if anyone could briefly explain the process or guide me to good instructional write up about it id really appericiate it. Thanks.
If you pierced the bleeder than maybe it just needs that. With the age though, it may be good to replace the cylinders anyway..I would do them in pairs. Take a look at the rear hose on the differential while your under there.
thank for the replies. it dont sound like too hard of a fix so i plan on givin it a shot this weekend.
do you guys know if i need to use any of the special brake tools or flare nut wrenches. Is a guy able to just pull off the brake shoes and just use a normal wrench on the lines and replace the cylinder without messing with the springs and whatnot?
A flare wrench will help a lot. I clamp vice-grips to the springs to pull them off. Do one wheel at a time so you will have something to look at to know how things suppose to fit back together.
If ur going to do the cyl's u have to remove the springs anyway. At least I have never been able to change a whl cyl w/o taking them off. Maybe someone here knows a way to do it. I have never seen it done. Buy wheel spring kits and change it all. The kits are not expensive w/ everything in the package. Make sure ur axle seals are not leaking grease, if so they will have to be attended also. As rthomas771 said a flare wrench is helpful to keep from rounding off the hose nuts. Look at the hose real good and if it's questionable I wud replace it also. As far as getting the drum off, U may be able to just pull it off. If it's froze to the axle then a wheel puller or as I've seen on the forum a BF Hammer. Gud luck.
