Ok, thought I'd try out the Praise Dyno drum brakes so I'm replacing pretty much everything. Now I've taken one side apart and when I try to put the new wheel cylinder on with the retaining clip just as the instructions say using a 1 1/8 12pt socket with extension by tapping (beating) with a hammer the clip wont go one. So I tried using the old clip and it goes on but the wheel cylinder is loose.

How do I get this on so I can put my brakes back together? It's kinda cramped quarters so I cant get a good forceful swing with the hammer. Got any ideas? I'm getting really upset, this is to simple and it's to hot outside.

Thanks, Mike

 

Try bending the new clip a little to help it fit. It is not easy at all to get that damn clip on. I was using a car lift and it was still difficult. Slide one side of the clip in and use a flathead to pry the other side in. It's going to take a lot of trying but eventually it will slip in My left side went smoothly but the right side took me forever to snap that clip in

 

Yea, those are rough... here is what worked for me:

Get a block of wood that will fit between the axle's hub and the wheel cylinder. This should really help keep the cylinder from moving.

I believe that I put an extension (or maybe I used an extension attached to a ujoint that was wrapped in duck tape to keep it pretty stiff. That should give you room to swing the hammer.

 

Thanks guys, I'll keep trying. I've been late getting in from work and haven't felt like messing with the car, but I need to get it back on the road so I'll do it this weekend.

Later, Mike

 

good luck...

One more thought.

I f**ked up my backing plate when I took my w/c off it. You may want to check out the mounting surface on yours and make sure that it didn't bend, on mine a small dent prevented if from seating. If you bent it, just pound it back with a hammer and a long punch.

 

here's a thought for drum brakes....

what is the possibility of using the backing plates from a 1991-1993 chevy s10 pickup?

they don't use clips to hold the wheel cylinder. the wheel cylinder actually bolts to the backing plate in those applications.

i'm pretty sure my friend's 95 pickup is the same as well.

i know exactly how you mean those clips are hard to get in. i had a bitch of a time putting brakes on the rear of my 88 s10 this winter.

rust doesn't help matters, either

 

I never understood why they used the clip, the design is horrible! Two bolts should hold it a backing plate, no problem - enough of the clips on everything.

Looking forward to having rear discs, even if they are not pbr's.