F'd up while working on drum brakes. Help?

Ok at this point it's cold out and I'm getting nowhere. What do I need to do to get this thing to a state where I can drive it 3 miles to the nearest shop in the morning? There's no way the drum cover is going back on with the shoe extended.

 

Ok.....so any expert correct me if I’m wrong here.

OP: you have pumped a substantial amount of brake fluid into the rear wheel cylinders. You will not be able to push all of this fluid back into the master cylinder. You option now is to remove the bleeder and push the fluid out to the bleeder when you force the pistons back into the cylinder. At that point, you will need to add brake fluid and re-bleed the back brakes.

I think it’s totally doable, but you need to expect a longer night. Have some food, pour a coffee, invite some friends over. You can have the truck back on the road with patience, Google, and YouTube, and some brake fluid.

Keep in mind brake fluid removes paint! Do not get frustrated and messy with it!!!! You don’t want to have to repaint your fenders.

 

If you cant get the drum on you cant drive it. Any time you use the brake fluid will go out the cylinder. Have AAA?

 

Only other thing that may be holding it up if you have bleeder open is the piston may not be aligned straight to go back in.

 

Sounds like a challenge to get to the shop without touching the brakes once... Hmm (half kidding). No, I don't have AAA. So my best bet is to remove the bleed valve, and somehow force the cylinder back into place? It's going to take a lot of force and I don't see the ratchet strap method working for that.

 

Wait, 3rd gens have drums in the rear?

 

You shouldn't have to force it. With some pressure on the strap can you move the left brake shoe up, down and slightly in,out to see if it will go back in place? Mostly on top where it meets the cylinder

 

IF you can’t get the brake components aligned properly while everything is still assembled, then perhaps relieve spring tension and remove the cylinder. Take it inside where it’s warm and look it over for repair... if there is no fluid connection, then you should be able to push the pistons back to normal and fix the boots. It not, then Uber to the auto parts shop and get a new brake cylinder...

 

The bleed screw should have a nipple that a small hose will fit on. If you have brake fluid and a hose, put the hose in the fluid and when you start putting the cylinders back in you will draw minimum air into the system, which will minimize the requirement for bleeding.

Keep in mind: if your brakes are fubar from trapped air, and you have no parking brake because that is Fubar, you are not stopping the truck. Don’t do anything stupid.

 

He's never done drums before so was avoiding that till last resort. Drum components can be a real pain your first time. But that would be next step.

 

think the left one must have popped all the way out and is not lined up straight into the bore thus will not slide into position. only way is to remove the left shoe and line it up. think that might be over OP's head.

 

Just about all of this is over my head, actually.

 

Know anyone nearby who can help you? I know its frustrating but don't want you to break or ruin anything.

 

Kudos for getting in there and learning!!

We have all been where you are right now!

My only advice: do jobs like this on a Friday night so you have the weekend to bugger around with it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5j3sKgNoEs

 

i feel for you buddy, you are learning the hard way "if it is not broke don't fix it"
do you have a buddy that has some auto mechanic knowledge?

 

As my luck would have it, my only mechanic friend has his phone off right now and no one knows where he is. All of this is extremely frustrating but you have been very helpful. If you were anywhere near I would be glad to buy you a drink!

 

Get a ride to work tomorrow if you can and start fresh tomorrow with some help if you can find it. Sorry we couldn't help much in this case.

 

On other coast but thanks.

 

Live and learn bro, bet you'll never do this again. We have ALL been here once or twice with something like this. By the end of tommorow your truck will be like new and you gained some experience.As a fortune cookie once said, calm seas do not make skilled sailors.

 

Did this on my Honda a few years ago...as I recall I took it all apart and put it back together...springs were a nightmare though...then bled the brakes.