Pimped my ride

[jake1ekaj]

I just got done replacing all the wheel bearings, trans axles, and brakes.

It pretty much feels like a new car, much quieter too, and shifts better too. The right rear wheel bearing was shot and was howling real bad around 40 mph. Now it's as quiet as any luxuary sedan, not, but it is not near as loud.

I do have a question though. The brakes are not as strong as I thought they would be. You have to push pretty hard to get a good feel. Much harder than before this job. I didn't have the drums turned 1, because their lathe was too big, 2, they weren't scored up.

Any thoughts?

By the way, the front spindle nuts are nothing if you have a impact gun to take them off. What would you do without the neighbor that has what you don't?

[tude123]

Any chance you have air in your brake lines?

[jake1ekaj]

I thought about that but I didn't open anything up. I will change the brake fluid and bleed them anyway. Before I did everything, the pedal was nice and firm. Don't know.

Thanks though

Jake

[crazyinkc]

Check the rear brakes for proper adjustment. If they are adjusted it too far, they will cause a soft pedal. Drive the car in revese to about 5 mph then stomp an the brakes. I just did my rear brakes last night on my 95 HB and this method worked for me.

[mcalvo]

Hmnn.. I believe they are autoadjustable Crazy.

Jake, a quick test in here: when you need to stop the car, try pumping the pedal several times (2 or 3) if it gets better on the second pump, somehow you got air in the brake system or got a problem at the principal pump.

hope this helps.

MC

[crazyinkc]

They are auto adjustable to a point. You still need to get them close or the wheel cyl will have to extend too far causing a soft pedal. The auto adjustment is designed to adjust for wear.

[jake1ekaj]

I have been sidetracked lately. The transmission axle seals started leaking and I just replaced them. Of course I should have done that last weekend when I replaced the axles. Duh

The brakes, the pedal is still firm but laking if that makes sense. I want to bleed them out. My coworker, who used to be a GM dealer mechanic, said the fluid should be nice and clear, as a preventative measure. So I will purge and blead the brakes.

Another thing here. When I pushed everything back in to make room for the new pads and shoes, the resovoir level is far surepassing the max limit. Would this make a difference?

The first night I took it out for spin after the brake work, the pedal dropped to the floor. I had done the back and brake then, it seemed to help, but it just doesn't feel like new brakes should. So I will adjust the shoes out too.

It's late right now, I will mess with it tomorrow and post the results.

Thanks to all.

[geozukigti]

Perhaps when you were taking everything apart, you damaged the brake line. It could be swelling when you press the pedal if it's damaged