plan_20020811

August 11, 2002

The new (old from the Chevelle parts car) rear axle is in place. Stu and his friend Daniel helped me unload it Friday afternoon, and we had it bolted in and ready for brake lines before dinner. An after dinner run to Schuck's and we were ready for Saturday morning. I got everything in place, managed to 'custom' bend a couple new lines, and was ready to start bleeding brakes. Then it happened. A bleeder broke off in the socket as I was checking to make sure it would open. I was not happy!

I had intended to run the existing shoes and drums until I was sure the axle was the right idea. Given what it cost to get the axle ready to install, I think at this point I'm committed to the axle, and I'll fix anything that might be wrong with it. And I made that decision looking at the wheel cylinder knowing I'd have to pull the shoes off to get the cylinder out to even look at the bleeder.

The Chevelle had been sitting outside for more than 10 years. I decided to take a short-cut and replace both wheel cylinders now, and while at it, to replace the shoes and have the drums turned. And that only added $75 to the total cost of the project, and now I won't face this issue later (I hope). I'm sure its the right plan, but I wanted to drive it this week, and now it looks like Friday before I'll be able to do the brake job and get it on the road again. And since every step has included at least one surprise, even that might be optimistic...

I took some pictures of the brakes so I would have something to reference once I got them apart. A couple of those pictures, and a shot of the sub sitting on blocks are here.

Last updated: December 31, 2006