rear brake sylinder rebuild

[77MidgetMkIV]

Hello all,
I am getting ready to rebuild the rear cylinders of my 77 midget. When removing, I noted that they are in relatively good shape, so I figured the rebuild buys me some more time in the garage, which is always good. Question: are there any tricks or pitfalls to watch out for? I have read a few different publications, and it doesn't seem too bad, but any first hand experience would be greatly appreciated. My moss parts just showed up, so I will be setting up soon, hopefully.

thx all

 

[jcatnite]

I think a drum brake is a drum brake. Just make sure you have a good grip on the springs before you try to take them off. It also helps to do one side at a time. Take the wheel off the side you aren't working on. It gives you an immediate reference when you can't remember where the long shoe went..lol.
JC

 

[Banjo]

Get a little cylinder hone at the parts store to take any glaze off of the inside of the bore. Use it lightly,take off as little as possible, constantly plunging it in and out to get the cross-hatch.(if the cylinder was really clean and nice, honeing isen't necessary, but I like to give the new seal somthing to bed into) then clean out the cylinder really well and let it dry. If there is any pitting at all it's junk. (or at least needs to be resleeved, but a new one is cheaper) You can use the grease provided in the seal kits, and I like to "wet" the cylinder prior to assembly with some brake fluid.
This is just my method, I'm sure there are others.but I've always had good luck.

 

[77MidgetMkIV]

Well, jcat, I have already stripped both assemblies down. However, in this wonderful digital age, I have copious pics of the disassembly, and each part was labelled and bagged upon removal. I should still be able to find a way to screw it up though . Thanks banjo for the honing advice, I will keep that in mind when I take them apart, hopefully tonight. Parts all showed up last night, so I am ready to cause some trouble.

thx