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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1940 Chevy brakes
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Question
My stock 1940 Chevy's brakes on the front and rear hubs (pass. side) are dragging. It's like they are not releasing fully. I pulled one of the hubs and backed off the adjustment a few clicks and they still are dragging. This (restored) chevy has been not driven for about 8 months.Any help is most appreciated, Thanks...
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Beautiful and very well-built car, John...
Needs driving more often if possible.
You need to put some clamps on the front hoses, pull both drums and let the fluid drain. remove the shoes, springs, hold downs, and drum separators and clean everything thoroughly with brake-cleaner or lacquer thinner and a rag.
Check the springs and make sure they're not going soft, and be sure that there is a dab of Lubriplate (don't use wheel bearing grease!) on the backing plate contact points.
While it's apart, have a look at your wheel cylinders, clean and hone them if necessary--there could be some corrosion starting. Make sure the cups and seals are good. If the cylinders are South American made, the rubber can perish in short order.
After everything's in order, button it up, top off the fluid, bleed the system and top off again. Adjust the shoes and test drive.
Basically it's an inspection and minor overhaul, but still only a Saturday afternoon's easy work, and you'll know it's been done right!
--Paul
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks very much Paul. This Chevy was my moms car and for years the brakes haven't been cleaned up as you suggest. I'll get right on it..... Best, John Marshall | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Paul Wilczynski
Expertise
Most questions involving vintage car restoration, mechanical and body, paint and upholstery. Parts sourcing. Extensive experience in wood-bodied station wagons, British and French cars of the '40s through '70s. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger, Citroen Maserati, VW Beetle, 1955-65 Chevrolet (especially Nomad station wagons), Corvair.
Experience
Wide-ranging and long-term. I owned a restoration shop in the 1970s, continue to dabble in vintage exotics. At one time, had a seven-car collection of contemporary exotics which I had restored and maintained myself.
When I was 18 years old, I designed a woodie kit for the VW Beetle, which I developed into a product which was featured on television and in over 100 magazines and 25 books at last count. I still own and drive one of my creations.
I owned a design and fabrication consultancy from 1982-2002, specializing in show car fabrication for manufacturers including Ford, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc.
Since 2003, I have been a department manager in Industrial Design, and a full-time instructor in automotive design and fabrication at the university level. My students go on to design automobiles as staff designers for major auto manufacturers worldwide.
Organizations
Western Automotive Journalists, Industrial Design Society of America.
Publications
Long list of magazines and books, including Playboy, VW Trends, VW Greats, Hot VWs, and European automotive magazines.
Education/Credentials
I teach design and fabrication at university level. My education is in Industrial Design, University of Illinois (1966-1970).
Awards and Honors
Many awards for restorations in local concours and shows.
Past/Present Clients
Mazda, Ford, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Mercedes, Porsche.
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