Making "Lemons into Lemonade"...............

[Runs With Scissors]

Didn't want to "Hi-Jack" @RCW "new cars/trucks" thread, but the talk about rust, reminded me about this little problem a few weeks ago.

So there I am, after parking my truck and walking past the rear wheel, I smell that "distinct odor" of "brake lining burning"

So it's one of 2 things. My clutch is failing, or the brakes are.

Luckily it turns out there is something "cati-wampus" going on with the rear brakes.

I just did them about a rear ago, but regardless, something is definitely wrong.

So I put it on the hoist, and sure enough, the port side brake pad is wearing uneven.

So I don't want to take it apart without having the parts to put it back together "on hand".

I am unsure of what is going on. I suspect because it is a "dual piston" caliper, that one of the pistons is "sticking" and making it both "wear funny" and also "smoke a little".....Hence the "brake lining odor"

I reason that since it is 19 years old, it's probably best to just "replace everything" and be done with it. instead of trying to "chase the problem".

So it's off to Flea Bay and sure enough for ~500 bucks, Detroit Axle sells an entire "kit".

About 2 days later, the "kit" arrives.........( Aside: I am sure I am the most hated person on my delivery persons route.....Cause that package was HEAVY.....)

Here is the outer pad when I got it removed.

Something is "clearly wrong"


Well after 19 Michigan winters, what are the odds that I am going to be able to get the brake lines off?

ZERO!!!!!!

Even I can't get hardly anything apart. Things are snapping/twisting/breaking like it's "no ones business".

Here are the first casualties, the bolts for the brackets that hold the brake lines/hoses

I didn't even try the brake lines, they are in the kit so I just cut them.

But now the lines/hoses will be "flopping around" and I just can't have that nagging my subconscious.

here is the line before the "mod"

I know! I will just bend them and use another existing bolt to attach them to.


Here she is is getting ready to be "modified"....

I add a little heat, and

BAM........M%^%$#$%$%%^er,

I snapped that bitch off faster than.......well .......really fast.....

Ironically, as I am looking at the pic I just took of the "carnage", I notice that piece of SS TIG welding rod that I had used as a "test bend" for another project, and it looks suspiciously like the "proper'ish" diameter of the piece I just broke.


Now my mind starts 'whirling"......hmmm......

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I decide to make a " quickie jig" in order to put the necessary 'sharp bends" ,

a little heat, and some "finagel'ing" and I get a "not so pretty, but useful" bracket.

I decide to make use of that long bolt sticking out of the rear air bags I installed a couple of years back.

The threads aren't too rusted......yet.

Both port and starboard sides come out "reasonably well

Should be "good nuff" for now......



I did however find that both axle seals are leaking


DAMN IT.........it's always something, aint it?


I am contemplating just rebuilding both axles simply due to "age " .........

 

[Sidekick]

Get yourself some Blue Creeper. Nothing it won't loosen

Home

Welcome to Bluecreeper.com Take on your most challenging projects quickly and safely with Bluecreeper. Significant improvements over existing penetrating lubricants make Bluecreeper the most useful tool in your toolbox. Works on metal parts of all kindsWorks on plastic partsHas high temp...

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[BBFarmer]

I decide to make a " quickie jig" in order to put the necessary 'sharp bends" ,

View attachment 156718

a little heat, and some "finagel'ing" and I get a "not so pretty, but useful" bracket.


View attachment 156719



I decide to make use of that long bolt sticking out of the rear air bags I installed a couple of years back.

The threads aren't too rusted......yet.







View attachment 156720


Both port and starboard sides come out "reasonably well


View attachment 156721

Should be "good nuff" for now......



I did however find that both axle seals are leaking


DAMN IT.........it's always something, aint it?


I am contemplating just rebuilding both axles simply due to "age " .........


View attachment 156722

Look at that! Can't stop an ole tech from MacGyverin something up.

That looks pretty darn professional sir. Wish I had a setup like that at home for workin on my own junk.

Those bolts often break on us down here to, but i bet they never make it up there with y'all LOL.

I would figure froze slide pins would be a common thing up there to. You might as well be in a whole other world than what we're used to down here.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Get yourself some Blue Creeper. Nothing it won't loosen

Home

Welcome to Bluecreeper.com Take on your most challenging projects quickly and safely with Bluecreeper. Significant improvements over existing penetrating lubricants make Bluecreeper the most useful tool in your toolbox. Works on metal parts of all kindsWorks on plastic partsHas high temp...

bluecreeper.com

Interesting.

I just ordered a bottle. I like the concept of not having to "spray down" the entire area with an aerosol. we will see...

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I would figure froze slide pins would be a common thing up there to. You might as well be in a whole other world than what we're used to down here.

Yep, extremely common.

Its the first thing I check when I rip one apart.

Speaking of southern cars.......

When I was at the Jeep dealer, I had this Cherokee come in with a "noise from front axle" complaint.

(Aside: I loved that style Jeep with the 4.0l combined with the AW4 transmission....absolutely legendary/bullet-proof combo......All the years I did trans work, I never saw an AW4 that needed rebuilding....I don't even know someone who has......)

I automatically figured it was a the front pinion bearing......I hoisted it and was stunned/flabbergasted/shocked/confused.......I mean like taken aback, sat there just looking at it for 5 minutes with my jaw hanging open,..........even called people over to look at it.

At first I could not figure out what was "wrong with this picture" . I was staring at it, and I knew something was not right, but I'll be damned if I could figure it out.........until I realized there was no front pig.

There was no front 4wd axle.......I thought I was being "punked" or somehow Chrysler screwed up and forgot to put the front axle on.....

Turns out it was from the South, and apparently it was ordered like that....on purpose. I had the Service Writer ask the owner about it. The owner said he didn't want to pay the extra money for 4wd since he would never need it.

Never saw another one either................

 

[Sidekick]

Blue Creeper is amazing stuff and it doesn't smell bad. A couple drops and wait 15 minutes for it to penetrate. If it doesn't free just add a couple more drops and wait a little longer. Works much better then the PB Blaster I used to use. My wife steals mine and uses it on squeaky hinges I ignore also.
You should start making these with your wire bending skills.

 

[Spam Bot]

Invest in an induction heater rather than breaking bolts—the best investment in a tool that you will ever make. Just make certain that you never get the wrong end of the stick!

 

[JimmyJazz]

I decide to make a " quickie jig" in order to put the necessary 'sharp bends" ,

View attachment 156718

a little heat, and some "finagel'ing" and I get a "not so pretty, but useful" bracket.


View attachment 156719



I decide to make use of that long bolt sticking out of the rear air bags I installed a couple of years back.

The threads aren't too rusted......yet.







View attachment 156720


Both port and starboard sides come out "reasonably well


View attachment 156721

Should be "good nuff" for now......



I did however find that both axle seals are leaking


DAMN IT.........it's always something, aint it?


I am contemplating just rebuilding both axles simply due to "age " .........


View attachment 156722

Very nice job. Not bragging but I just finished replacing a $21 delta shower mixing valve purchased off of Amazon less than 24 hours ago. It had been leaking for a month (according to the wife). I feel like a made man at the moment.