screws on rear brake drum area

[irish]

Hey I'm having trouble bleeding my brakes, 62 sprite; I've read how to do it a zillion times; I've check for leaks...I found signs of brake fluid on the inside wheel of the rear passenger side wheel. My question: there are two screws that must be removed when removing the brake drun, and another one that appears after the drum has been removed; this one screws into a recessed spot. One of the screws when removed was bent, distorted and I believe it is the reason where the brake fluid is oozing out albeit in tiny amounts but enough to cause mushy brake pedal. By the way, what is the part of the axle that these 3 screws go into called? It obviously has fluid in it but can't figure out why. Any insights appreciated...

 

[RickB]

If I understand correctly there's your brake drum and it is screwed to your hub by two large screws that are hard to remove (usually). To remove mine I had to use an impact driver. The third screw (after removing the drum) I believe holds the hub - but does not have anything to do with brakes - the wheel cylinder needs to be renewed, that's why it's leaking. Likely it's gotten all cruddy, rusty & dirty inside.
Mine was leaking just a bit and that was the case.

 

[Bugeye58]

The two outer screws hold the brake drum to the axle flange. The third screw holds the axle to the rear hub. None of the screws have anything to do with the brake hydraulics.
Jeff

 

[Sportsdoc]

I agree with above, if it's brake fluid, better look at the wheel cylinder.

 

[john_j]

Are you certain that it is brake fluid inside the drum and not oil from the axle?

I just ask as you were talking about the screw for the axle as well as thos efor the drum.

 

[Morris]

It's very common for the axle seals to leak and allow oil from the differential to seep into the brake drum. This may be what you are seeing. But, if your brakes are mushy... it wouldn't hurt to replace the cylinders anyway.

 

[RickB]

Have you done a "taste test" yet?
Brake fluid has a unique flavor /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[irish]

Really appreciate the inputs; I wrote the question last saturday, and then got swamped at work. This is the kind of response I print out and then go to the garage (with a cold one) and ponder the possibilities...Conclusion forthcoming...Thanks, irish

 

[tosoutherncars]

Irish, a few of us just did rebuilds... Here's how mine looked when I started.

Years of oil *and* brake fluid leakage, from the looks of it!

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/331909/fpart/1

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/334189/fpart/1

Those will help a bit. In short;

Order a rear axle kit, including,

- the paper gasket,
- rubber O-ring,
- rubber hub seal,
- bearing,
- new wheel cylinders
- brake pads, if worn

Disassemble everything, clean thoroughly, reassemble with new parts, bleed, adjust and enjoy. Wasn't as hard as it looks / sounds.

Aah, shiny happy brakes... just sailed through safety check. Have fun!

 

[Sportsdoc]

Duncan, that back plate looked just like mine, caked with years of grime. Taking the entire mechanism off makes it much easier. I can't imagine how someone could replace the brake cylinder with the back plate still on the car- that C ring was hard enough to fit with it on the bench.

 

[HAN8L1965]

I totally agree, that was a weekend project getting it all back to the original metal and repainting. New cylinders, springs and shoes made this a nice job for me and yes the c clamps are a pain. I almost screwed up all my efforts just trying to attach the new cylinders.

Mark