LA2SD's '93 RCSB

[SUBURBAN5]

Thank you! Much appreciated

So far what's the hardest part you've come across?

 

[LA2SD]

So far what's the hardest part you've come across?

Diagnosing stuff has probably been the hardest part so far, because the truck is 27 years old now, and has about 455,000 miles on it...so when there's a problem, it could potentially be any number of things, because everything is so old.

For example, within a few months of the truck overheating, the ECM and the fuel pump both decided to take a dump. It was nuts. So I had to figure out whether it was a fueling issue at the pump, or an issue with the module. It turned out to be both.

Mechanically, the biggest job so far has been the drum brakes. I'll post about that too. The shoes were worn down to the backing pads, and I couldn't pull the drums off. Working in a tight space probably didn't help either.

*edited for clarity

 

[SUBURBAN5]

Diagnosing stuff has probably been the hardest part so far, because the truck is 27 years old now, and has about 455,000 miles on it lol So when there's a problem, it could potentially be any number of things, because everything is so old.

For example, within a few months of the truck overheating, the ECM and the fuel pump both decided to take a dump. One right after the other. It was nuts.

Mechanically, the biggest job so far has been the drum brakes. I'll post about that too. The shoes were worn down to the backing pads, and I couldn't pull the drums off. Working in a tight space probably didn't help either.

Man that's awesome . Impressive miles too

 

[LA2SD]

Man that's awesome . Impressive miles too

Thanks man

 

[LA2SD]

March 2019

I'm backing up here a bit...didn't intend for this thread to be all over the place...but, that's what I get...

So after several more months of rest and PT, I got the transmission all buttoned up, and took the truck for a spin. Less than a mile from my house, it died. If I remember correctly, it wouldn't even crank over. I thought it might be the fuel pump or an ignition issue, so I checked for DTC codes the next day, and there was no DTC 12.

According to the factory flow chart, this meant the ECM was fried. As it turned out, the ECM in the truck was a remanufactured unit, so I ended up replacing it with a unit from the wrecking yard, and the truck fired up. Still, it didn't run right. In first gear, the engine would bog down whenever I gave it gas, and lunge forward...sort of like a newbie driving a stick shift. I thought it might be a fueling issue...so I started looking there.

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[LA2SD]

August 2019

By this time, I had checked the ignition, replaced the in-line fuel filter, and drained the fuel from the truck a few times. But the truck still wasn't running right. I thought that there might be water in the fuel, because it sat for so long, so I tried adding a few bottles of water remover. Then, my starter went out...

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[LA2SD]

August 2019

Replaced the starter, and shortly thereafter, my rear brakes started making noise. Pretty much anything that could go wrong, went wrong.

I ordered new drums, shoes, and slave cylinders, and went to work. My work space was tight to say the least...

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[LA2SD]

August 2019

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All cleaned up, and ready for re-assembly...

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[LA2SD]

The old pin for the parking brake lever wouldn't fit, so picked up a new set...and used a 'C' clamp to insert the spring clip...

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[LA2SD]

August 2019

I couldn't get the drum off the driver's side because the shoes had wedged themselves against the drum. According to the shop manual, I could use a drift to hit the stopper on the parking brake lever...but that didn't work. What did work, was unbolting the slave cylinder, and pushing it into the drum, from the backing plate.

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I figured it would be a good idea to replace the front brake hoses, since I was going to have to bleed the brakes. Unfortunately, I received hoses that were too short...

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