Well today was amazing i had to stop real quick in the traffic circle this afternoon and blam_o there goes both rear cylinders....

Ordered all the parts new cables, springs cylinders drums and shoes.  Only thing is which shoe goes forwards? Short  or long? Reason im asking cause both drums were a p.i.t.a to get off, but i see short going forwards. Also i wasnt too impressed with the shop who last did them. They twisted my right front caliper hose causing failure. Said it wasnt their fault. So now i question their work.  Kinda a 911. Would really like to not have to get a ride in in am.

Short shoe always goes to the front. 

Thank you very much.  I just wanted to be 100%.  Now if only the parts store would get the drums the same....

I believe I used chevy 1 ton wheel cylinders in the rears of my 98.5 a little extra stopping power. was a long time ago. 

@Royal Squire is correct. The short (primary) shoe goes on the front. The long (secondary) shoe goes on the rear. Make sure the self adjusters aren't seized and installed correctly on the correct sides. I usually replace the adjusters when I do a brake job.

Dogsled,

 

Upgrade to the Chevy 1 ton cylinders like Ed said.  On my 96 they made a big difference.

 

Bob

Ed and / or Bob,

just happened upon this thread and 

a great to know retrofit for the wheel cylinders that I don’t know how anyone could know would fit without experience. Would either of you know the exact “Alternate Part “ and part number for one of the manufacturers??

Great info, Thanks

Tom

Has been a while but I think I ordered the ones that were on my 1980 Chevy duelly 454 pick up.

This should help.

 

Excellent thanks ! 

Great resources. I will at some point get the actually dimensions when I replace my brake cables and give some feedback. 

NAPA sells the brake cables. I tend to replace mine either yearly or every other year just depends on how fast the cable rust up and break. Idaho changed over to straight salt on the highways 3 years ago. 

I got the wheel cylinder from NAPA, part # UP37337 .  Application I use was for a 1985 Chevrolet C30 1 Ton dually.

 

Bob

Thank you MoparMan ? and Bob.

again Great feedback that will help many I suppose.

And a add on to the Emergency Brake Cable, in the last forty years I have replaced a few dozen and what I do every time is this but I am a bit particular and only need to replace my cables once, so far.

I learned this from my dad on his Packard.

( I will get my pictures and post a topic )

I heat up a cup of gear oil.

I put the cable through the corner of some ziplock bag and rubber band it tight to the end connector.

i hang the cable and the bag so it cannot spill and I pour the oil in and wait. Usually moving and spinning the cable occasionally. 

Most of the time it comes out the other end in not too much time.

If I leave it overnight it always works, I back blow it with air getting little out. I HAVE NEVER SEEN any oil leak to the drum that was more than dried by the dust. 

Just a trick if you intend on keeping your stuff for the long haul. 

Tom

Someday I should do the rear wheel cyl upgrade to chevy type.

 

I assume the piston is larger diameter?

 

Any one know both stock and chevy piston diameter sizes ?  For comparison?

 

Do the chevys have the exact same cast diameter that fits in the backing plate hole so it fits tight? Maybe a illusion ,but the chevy looks smaller diameter step that goes into the hole in the backing plate

 

 

Edited September 28, 20186 yr by GSP7

The stock cylinder diameter is 7/8" bore the Chevy one as a 1" bore. It made a big difference in braking on my 96.  They were a direct fit and didn't have any problems getting them in.

 

Bob