Began the brake job this morning and already hit some obstacles.

Snag #1 - I'm trying to replace the rear brake adjuster, but the threaded adjuster post thing cannot be removed out the rear of the back plate, as there is a metal band which has a hole that's smaller diameter than the threads of the adjuster post. Looks like it's supposed to come out the FRONT of the backing plate (the side facing the brake shoes), but the same band that's keeping the adjuster from going out the back is also keeping me from reaching the square nut on the end of the post. Hrm...

On that same note....who the ^%$#@! decided to make that thing SQUARE instead of nut-shaped. Grrrrr....

Snag #2 - There's supposed to be *two* screws holding the rear brake drums to wheel assembly, but I only have 1 per side. I figured that someone got lazy and only installed 1/2 the screws, but, no, the plate they screw into only has *one* threaded receptacle hole. WTF??? I can see that the screws only serve to keep the drum tight against the back plate and that the wheel studs make it turn, but the extra hole in the drum is, I'm sure, letting moisture into the drum. Maybe I should seal them with silicone because of the heat?

Can anyone offer any wisdom?

 

well I'm curious to see an answer for #1 as I encountered the same thing. Short of doing some cutting somewhere the screw part just isn't coming out. I decided it didin't look too worn and reassembed using the existing adjuster but new wedges and found I easily brought the drum to a lock meaning I had plenty of adjustment so left it that way.

#2 - hey, better than me I had no hold on bolts....I don't think I'd use silc', the first high heat silver paint I used discolored from the heat . .

 

Well the retaining strap is flexible so I just bent it out of the way - they definitely come out towards the brake shoe side and not the other way.

Got one adjuster out but the other lil f**ker's rusted in place and won't turn. And since it's partway adjusted in, with the new, thicker shoes in place now I can't get the drum on. *&^%$#@!

Gonna try the blowtorch method and a ton of penetrating catalyst. I don't suppose anyone near Columbus, OH has a square brake adjuster wrench?

 

you just need the right sized open end box wrench .... I know I have one in the tool box .... a 1/4 maybe???? without getting under the car can't check but that is the odd small one I have in the box . . . and I know I have one that fits.

A 1/4 is smaller than what comes in a "standard set" of wrenches.

You don't need a wrench tho - you are looking for a brake spanner


Now - tell me why my Pertronix started missing occasionally after about 30 minutes of driving????? And got worse the longer I went.

First noticed on my electronic tach' but by the time I got home was noticable across the RPM range. Time to check all the connections ... and I have a theory . . .

 

Score after today:

Mini: 1
Matt: 0

The day begins... So much potential...



Look how CLEAN everything is! (That won't last long...)



Got one side done, but the other side's brake adjuster was completely frozen into the backing plate. How frozen you say? Well, even after heating and multiple rounds of penetrating oil, here's what it did to my wrench



(NOTE: old, non-frozen adjuster from the other side shown for comparison - I'd like to find the person who designed this and introduce him to my friends Mr. Rubber Hose and Ms. Bicycle Chain... Grrr....)

As the sun sets, I slink back to the house, defeated. I'll let the penetrating oil sit overnight, just in case. (Sigh)...

 

Does anyone know what size square adjuster wrench fits on that fastener? I got a 1/4" -7/16" on eBay, but I fear the 1/4" is too small and the other end will be too big. A 5/16 crescent or an 8MM fits on the flat facets pretty snugly.

 

Yes, get a 5/16 square socket - mine is from Craftsman. Use PB Blaster - heat if necessary. This is the same adjuster as my 95, 96, 97 (Sonett) SAABs.

 

If remember right my SAAB 96 had Lockheed brakes. It was a long time ago so I may be wrong. Love those old SAABs! 2 stroke FTW.

Tell me more about your SAABs.

Back on topic.... Rusty brake adjusters

 

All you can do is what you're already doing, rust penetrant and/or heat till it loosens up....

This might be a case where removing the backing plate and putting it in the vise might help, if for no other reason than you won't be all bent over to reach it as you work on it.

Good luck. Sometimes it takes up to a week for the rust penetrant to work it's way all the way in, just FYI.....

When you re-assemble it, be sure to use a light coating of good grease on all the moving parts of the adjusters.

Don't worry about that screw hole, it won't hurt anything......

 

there is a SIGNIFICANT strength difference 'tween a GOOD tool and a not so good tool.

I've bent cheap wrenches and come back to the same bolt with a GOOD wrench and gotten the sucka to move. Good: Craftsman (altho mine are old and I hope today's are as good), KOBALT, SNAP-ON certainly others

This is a case where there can be a BIG difference 'tween Harbor Freight stuff and GOOD stuff.

I see your wrench is 'pittsburg' ..... hmmm, go to Lowes and get KOBALT of the same size and you'll probably get away with putting a piece of pipe over the end to give you a long lever arm, without bending or breaking the wrench . . .

Don't get me wrong, I've spent a LOT of money on tools in HF. I recently replaced a compressor I bought at LOWES (KOBALT) with one from HF after the LOWES unit died in only 5 years and so far I like the HF one much better. But some of their hand tools are just not made from the same high strength steel as the good stuff and when you press a tool to its limit you want that limit to be high. The wrench I bent had served well for many years and after replacing the wrench I gave the set of wrenches and sockets to my son to be the base of his tools....very workable for everyday household chores. And bought all good stuff for me - {which happily I can afford now.}

[btw I didn't toss the LOWES compressor, I turned the 30 gallon tank into an additional storage tank and use a 21 gallon tank & HF oiled compressor to run both tanks.]

 

Success!!! Managed to wiggle the adjuster back and forth till it broke free and managed to get it out. The vacuum bleeder worked a charm and the brakes are now rock solid. Went out with Amy for a nice drive and evening with friends - awesome. Thanks again for everyone who asserts with this!!