Drum brake help on 1997 k2500

[Macak22]

So I got some new brake shoes awhile back and thought I'd finally change them out. Looks like I have some more trouble than I thought. Seals bad somewhere or something similar? Should I just rebuild the drums or clean them off real well?

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Also the axle I pulled out is covered in grease similar to this, the spline is fine though.

This all just the passenger side, haven't touched the driver side yet. I'm asking because I haven't dealt with drum brakes for years now, and have never seen one look like this.

This might be why my parking brake doesn't work after screwing with the cable forever too.

 

[chipskittles]

Axle seals are bad. Not unusual at all. Not familiar with the 9" rear but i'd assume the axes will need to come out to replace the seals. Then replace the shoes; I'd replace all of it including wheel cylinders because i don't deal with that nasty gear oil/brake dust mixture.

It would make sense to do both sides since you have to do the same work to pull both axles anyway and it's all old

 

[Macak22]

Yeah I had to pull the axle out to get here, it's in good shape other than the dried grease all over it. Thanks for the advice, I guess I could just get a seal and bearing kit and do all that while I'm down here. I also saw a write-up for rebuilding the drums earlier so that helps a lot. And yeah I was gonna do both sides, learned my lesson the hard way when I couldn't afford hub assemblies for both sides and only got the worst side, pickup didn't like that.

 

[Bob L]

If the bearings are not pitted or scored just clean them up and replace the seals,shoes, and wheel cylinders. Get a couple cans of brake clean and a parts cleaning brush to clean the hardware and backing plates.

 

[Macak22]

Yeah I'm ordering new seals and the bearings are not exactly great so I'm gonna get those too. And also the wheel cylinders like you said. I'd just rather replace everything while I'm down here. Well most things anyway. Thanks for the advice y'all.

 

[chipskittles]

They've got a seal/bearing combo now that you just pound in and you're done. I didn't plan on doing mine this way but I ordered the wrong size bearings so I had to get the right ones locally and that's all the parts stores had. Can't say i've had any problems with them and they are double sealed so should never have to deal with a leak there again. This part is meant to be a problem solver kind of part, it steps the seal for example so that the new seal rides on a different part of the axle than the old one. Just something to be aware of

 

[east302]

Who makes those?

So it has a second seal on the inside--differential side?


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[chipskittles]

yeah it was weird it has the seal and bearing all as one piece. The seal part is slightly bigger and is the part that you are hammering into the tube. National part # RP-513067, google image search the part # and you will see what I mean. I did mine about a year and a half ago and no problems.

 

[Steve A]

Looks like those axle seals on that 14 bolt have been leaking for some time. Might want to pull the rear cover off and check the ring and pinion. Could be some wear on them if the gear oil level has been run low for an extended time.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Who makes those?

So it has a second seal on the inside--differential side?


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He's talking about axle saver bearings for the 8.5. Totally different then what you have. The axle seal is much like a front wheel bearing seal on your rear end. Be careful what you believe on the internet. Well meaning people with little experience can cost you a lot of cash.

This guy makes a much bigger deal out of it then it needs to be but it gives you an idea of what has to be done.

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Good luck on getting all that oil cleaned up. It can be done but it's a huge PITA. I absolutely hated when these came into the shop.