VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Huck brake rookie

Can anyone give me a few tips on refreshing a truck with huck brakes. I have the pliers to help, but they look like they belong in the dentist office. I’m really not sure how to use them. Thanks in advance!!

One side goes in the end of the spring and the other side bites into the shoe. Use enough gap in the jaws to get the spring out of its hole.

Reverse the process when installing the new shoes.

Use something to hold the wheel cylinders together whilst installing the shoes.

Adjust the wheel cylinders until you can just get the drums on. Then lock the wheels in place and then back off about 5 clicks. Facing the end of the cylinder it the adjuster is turned counter clock wise to loosen and clockwise to tighten.

Piece o' cake!

The worst part is getting the parking brake cable on its arm. That can be frustrating. There is a tool for that but vice grips work, too.

Have fun.

Charlie

The replacement shoes should have a chamfer at the top of the lining. It is shown in all GM diagrams of the brakes. If it isn't present you should make one with a file. You mentioned pliers but what Charlie was describing is a brake tool that has two very long handles and small hook like projections on the working end.
I use mechanic's wire to keep the wheel cylinders from coming apart.

Hello, I have to repair the emergency brake cable on my right rear wheel on my '38 Chevrolet ... My wheel cylinders and fluid, and master cylinder, are all new; I replaced them within the last 30 days. However I can't find a wheel cylinder clamp to keep my wheel cylinder from popping open when I remove the shoes to get to the emergency brake. I read the "mechanic's wire" in the post above ... what is that? Thanks for help!

"mechanic's wire" On the farm we used it as hay bailing wire.

It's just thin, stiff wire you buy in a roll at a hardware store. It's maybe just under 1/16" diameter but need to be stiff enough to hold the twisted ends together like a twist tie.

Thanks guys. I appreciate you!

If you can't find some of the wire, let me know and I'll send you enough for the job.

No cost and free shipping.

Best,

Charlie

Holding the caps onto the cylinders with the shoes removed will not require heavy material, a piece of string is strong enough (unless someone stomps on the brake pedal).
Tony

Thanks guys. I found some 12 gauge electrical wire and used it to tie the cylinders together. It was a little tough to thread it behind the cylinder, but I was able to get it around the wheel cylinder in a cross-tie fashion. Then I used a very small u-bolt (that was intended for use as a clamp on a come-along cable) to hold the wire in place, and it was solid as a rock. Thanks again everyone!!!

Tony,

Up here we don't use string when wire is required.

Those confounded wheel cylinders (WC)are difficult to keep closed up when installing the shoes. Causes cussin' which prompts visions of being in a fiery pit where you will never be consumed.

We up here want to be sure about the WCs staying together.

No self-respecting man up here would ever use a child;s play string or silly putty. Nor would we have to pull out a knife the size of Crocodile Dundee's and try to impress his date, "Nah, Now that's a KNIFE. (Emphasis added) What a man pulls out up here is much more impressive. No, No. Not that. A 1911 Colt 45.

To give you credit though, I admire your ingenuity I've seen "Road Warrior" and suppose that wire is as scarce as gasoline down there.

Up here in these modern times, we don't use string any more. About 50 years age we did use string to secure our packages whilst they were in the postal system. But, since then we have been using this stuff that is far superior to string. It's called wrapping tape. And is really strong. You may want to investigate some upper globe inventions and quit dragging your knuckles. We don't even use it to teach our children fun things with their fingers, Such as Jacob' Ladders or use a Yo-Yo and walk the dog. No we have cell phones (mobiles) that keep our toddlers content for hours on end. We call it progress.

String! Mercy! Heavens to Betsy. Hard to remember that stuff.

Best.

Charlie

BTW: You know that I ain't just right.

You got that right Charlie.

To get back to the original question posed by survivor54. The pliers that are called huck brake pliers are for compressing the stiff spring on the pins that hold the straps to the shoes. They are designed to compress the spring and allow access for removing the clip. This job can be done with other tools but is made easier with the special pliers.

Mike

Thank you gentlemen for your responses.

I had a look at the truck and parts the other day and I think the only thing that I have a question about is the installation of the “warped washers” and the “cone springs” with the J hooks in the new supplied kit. I can see obviously where the springs go, but I had the drums off the rear wheels and for the life of me I couldn’t find where the J hooks go. Are the J hooks used for the installation?

What is the nack to getting those warped wonders on??

Thanks again in advance!!

Push the "J" hook through the spring and hook it on the receiver attached to he backing plate.

The warped clips go on in the grove and then are bent down to secure them so they want slip off.

Good luck,

Charlie

Here is how the GM truck shop manual describes how to remove and install the clip on the pin on the shoes. Shop Manual That is how I do it.

The "bent washers" are called pin locks. I would be very careful taking off the old ones inc ase the new ones are the wrong size.