Ok, guys, I got the wheel that was locked up on Ethel (and I mean SERIOUSLY locked up) taken off, took the brake drum off and adjusted the shoes in. I repacked the bearings, installed new shoe hold down spring retainer thingies, since I damaged the old ones getting the drum off the hard way. Put the drum back on. It turned beautifully.... backward. When turning it forward, it would make about 3/4 of a turn and bind up on something. I took the drum back off, backed the shoes off a little more, loosened the bearing nut a half-turn and got it going forward, though it still feels like it's binding up, and something in there is rubbing. The rubbing feels like wheel bearing. I'm worried now that I damaged the bearing cups or grease retainers and my bearings aren't seated properly. I say all that to ask this... do I really need a torque wrench? The Chilton's gives proper torque on the bearing nut at 10-15 in./lbs. I must have seen my dad pack bearings 20 times in my life and never use a torque wrench. He doesn't even own one. And do you all have any ideas about the rubbing problem? Thanks in advance. Jean My72Mav
Just get someone that has done it a million times to set it up for you. It's just by feeling that I do it.
*sigh* I really don't want to get someone else to do it. The whole point of this project, which for some bizarre reason I have to keep explaining to people (my husband included), is that I want to do this MYSELF. That's what it's about. Oh well. I'm taking it back off tomorrow. Jean My72Mav
Oh so its for pride then . You can get a torque wrench at a parts store for ~ 10 bux it will be money well spent .
Well then deal with the screwed-up, worn out, poor performance brakes that you have. You can't have it both ways...
Yes, it's for pride Thanks elliot. Yes, it's for pride. Maybe that's silly, but it matters to ME. It may have seemed like a dumb question, I guess. But when you are as broke as I am and still have a passion for this project, every dollar counts. Anyway, for the record, I have done wheel bearings before, though not on my Mav. And I did not take out the grease retainer rings or bearing cups from the drum, so that's probably the problem. One of them may be damaged or wonkerjawed. And I'll buy a torque wrench, I guess. Jean My72Mav
???? How do you figure my brakes are screwed up and worn out? I wasn't talking about brakes anyway, if I recall. I believe I was talking about wheel bearings. And poor performance is subjective. And I don't want it both ways. I want what I have to work like it's supposed to. You feeling ok today? Jean My72Mav
Jean, for what it is worth department, if you buy yourself a good torque wrench, it will be one tool that will come in handy, and for some jobs it will pay for itself easily enough. It's a tool that everyone should have, and if you are torquing things down properly at least you know that you did that part of the job right. Best of luck! Dave
It's not "subjective" at all. I cannot stress enough the fact that on early Mavericks & Comets, the single most necessary upgrade is disc brakes. I know you are talking about wheel bearings but when you swap to discs, which you should do anyway, you get new rotors with new bearings & races, as well as different spindles. As for answering your original question; you need to check your spindles to make sure that they are not damaged. With that said, it "sounds" like you need new bearings and races. No one can tell for certain without actually seeing them. Yes, I'm feeling okay...& thanks for asking...
Sorry for sounding so snippy with my posts, but it seems I'm continually justifying myself to someone about this project. And it's frustrating to be talked down to by people who think I should have this junk heap hauled away and get myself back to the kitchen where ladies belong. I've been called everything from dreamer to idiot and everything in between, so I must admit to being a little defensive. In all fairness, I do have a disc brake conversion in the plan, but it's way down the line. I need what I have to work for a while. There are many expensive things to do on this car, and since I'm not planning on driving it anywhere but around town for at least a couple years while I do the restorations, the brakes I have (and they are brand new) will just have to do for now. Maybe it's me who isn't feeling so well today. I'll try to do better. Thanks anyway. Jean My72Mav
Jean, you are in good company here, I think most of has been there to one extent or another. Hang in there and DON'T GIVE UP, because of what others say. As you know these cars have great potential, yours maybe just a diamond in the rough! I have one of those myself that I dreaming of restoring , I will get there, and I can't wait! Step by step, you will get there! One day the naysayers will come around, and if they don't who cares, it's your car, do it your way! Good luck!!!
My72Mav; when you are tightening the bearings, turn the drum as you tighten the nut, and tighten it down till it drags some on the bearing. Not too tight, but not too loose. Then put in the cotter key. For what it's worth, these guys are just trying to help, and to let you know that the drum brakes on these cars are barely adequate, and will make for an exciting stop if you have someone in the car, and have to stop at speed. If you are considering swapping the brakes, you should consider moving that up on the list, as it is a big safety issue. Good luck, hope it works out.
