Bringing My 1964 Cj5 Back To Life

Well for sure, you can reuse those shoes. They look almost new. Nothing wrong with doing so as long as they aren't contaminated with oil (which it does not appear so). By the pictures, seems that someone did the brakes not too long before it sat. I suggest replacing the cylinders, just cause it sat so long. You can go ahead and pull the backing plates off for cleaning, but some guys here would just blast with some brake cleaner and button it back up. It depends I guess on what your visions are for the overall jeep, your timeframe (spring is right around the corner). Jeep brakes are just about the easiest. I'm enjoying your build thread! Oh, make sure you have good manuals with pictures. It will make things easier and more enjoyable.

 

Oh, I'm in the midst of a complete brake overhaul in my build thread; http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/157805/

Most of the brake work is in the last 2-3 pages. You might find something useful.

 

Hi, I'm Dne' I'm on board to watch you build your awesome Jeep~~ I'm sure you've already had a taste of the remarkable people here. Below is a link I started a short while back, it gives you an opportunity to tell us you are, a brief introductory I'd say. That being said, We look forward to your progress and get to know you
dne'

http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/158189/#post-1820894

 

I found the work order from 13 years ago where we did have brake work done when I was first getting it rolling again, then there was some other issue and it parked in garage and life got in the way. So I’ll look closer at the cylinders. Vision is get rolling and running again before late summer, then consider how far to dive into more restoration. But try to do good fix work as I go.

yes, have 2 manuals, the sm-1002r6 in print and later one electronic

thanks for riding along and the tips

 

Just checked the last few pages. Beautiful work! And some great tips.

 

Thanks Mike. It's been fun but I over did things yesterday and am only firing on 7 cylinders today. Really trying to complete by April, we'll see.

 

Started pulling brake parts off back wheels. Pretty much as I have seen on various videos, not much issue. Except - getting brake line off the wheel cylinder is a problem. My new flare wrench set didn’t fit - either an oddball replacement or metric or the fitting is stripped up a bit. Either way, it wasn’t coming off so stopped before busting brake line. Blaster and let it sit for now, plus a metric flare wrench in case.

But, in anticipation of having to replace some brake line anyway, looked at it a bit. Saw this funny loop on left rear brake line from wheel to T fitting. Is there a reason for this? And, do pre bent kits actually fit or better to learn how to make my own?

 

Its purpose is to make the brakes impossible to bleed.

 

I had installed 4 wheel disc on my '68, but you can see the flex line and you can "customize" your new lines to fit. I'd say you can just probably cut the lines and you'll be getting new wheel cylinders anyway?





I have probably purchased 200' of the brake line, easy to bend.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BMZ5FV2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

This tool you can flare your lines on the car, a tiny learning curve.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BMZ5FV2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

and this flex protective wrap puts the finishing touches on the job I forgot to do it on my 68.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Stop+Shop+3/16+Spring+Wrap+for+Brake+Line+-+8+ft.+(Gravel+Guard)+Visit+the+The+Stop+Shop+Store&i=automotive&crid=13A4PJS2HR76B&sprefix=stop+shop+3/16+spring+wrap+for+brake+line+-+8+ft.+gravel+guard+visit+the+the+stop+shop+store,automotive,175&ref=nb_sb_noss

This is on my '92 Jurassic park jeep build.

 

Wow Dne, nice tubing work there!!

Mike, I just happened to upload a bunch of photos of this very subject over at my build thread. What I'm doing is 100% stock but I don't know if that the direction you're planning to go. Also see page 22, you'll find some 'action' photos of double flaring 3/16" tube and I think you can even read the directions on the inside of the box in the post. My flaring tool is old school. There are better ones out there but come at a higher $. Just follow the directions and you should be all right.

No doubt that that brake line shown has been replaced, albeit not quite up to snuff. I encourage you to cut and bend your own. It's within most people's capabilities and I recall being a bit intimidated the first time but I did get it done without leaks. It's important that any burs are buffed off so that your connections are just right. Just take your time. Of course you can buy a pre-made brake line set and if you do, I strongly suggest Pete DeBella; https://www.debellajeepparts.com/CJ3B_BRAKE_CATALOG.htm Looks to be the last item item on the page. Tell him Pete from NH sent you! He's a kind of gruff guy but knows his stuff and only sells quality parts.

But before you order, I think you should verify something. If your front brake cylinders have hoses coming directly out of them (at a 45 degree) to the frame, order the one in the link above. If you have the setup which has 'S' lines coming from the front cylinders, order the one in this link; https://www.debellajeepparts.com/M38_BRAKE_CATALOG.htm

 

That brought a grin!

 

Beautiful work! Appreciate the tips as well

 

Pete, I just checked out the work and right on the money and looks great. I’m not going that original, just trying to do the pieces I do the right way and get it rolling. Not necessarily full original, but accurate, even if the parts are new I want to be “in the spirit” of my 64. Love reading your build and got a couple tips from your write ups. On my front brakes, they are hoses to the cylinder and out to a frame support, then hard line beyond. Not there yet to know the angle details but will need to watch for that and clips under rust.

Will check that link for parts. Thanks

 

That was the cheapest brake overhaul I've ever done to date because I was able to rebuild some nice old original parts. Not the fastest overhaul by a long shot. Dne's disc conversion is on the opposite side of the spectrum with modern brakes (bravo), but it all depends upon how you plan to use the jeep. For me, original brakes are fine since it's all local and secondary roads for me. I live in the country.

Don't let my build sway you. Rebuilding cylinders and relining shoes was a first for me. In the past, I chucked old parts and swapped for new. We'll see if my build is on the money this spring. Good luck!!

 

Got the rear wheel cylinders and backing plates off today. Brake lines were not coming off cylinder so I’ve now committed to at least 2 new brake lines.

Observations - no brake fluid came out of left hose and only drips out of right.
No shims on left wheel, only 2 on right.

This new guy has more questions. On the bearing retainer plate, one looks to have a machined groove or depression in it and the other does not. Seems odd with both having same stamped part number on them.

On the backing plates, what I believe is the grease retainer, both are stuck on. Just pound out? And if you look at this pic, they look different from the back. One shows what looks like solid ring on inside, the other no ring, shows a rubber lip. I didn’t see any odd rings or parts on when taking apart.

Also on backing plate, how is that lower spring retainer on? Is that a bolt or is it riveted? Planning to get these sandblasted so want to get everything off first

hoping folks don’t get tired of the questions

 

No worries Mike! Click to expand above with a detailed reply.

 

This is normal. They only put shims on one side from the factory.

 

There were shims on both sides of the one I just did. It is a 52....

 

Interesting. From a 1965 service manual:

Looks like it was a running change somewhere along the way. I have no idea when the change was made.

 

Well thanks for sharing this. Interesting. I'll bow out since I don't want to hijack Mike's build thread. Thanks and hmmmm....