Mrs. Bluberry's 1958 Imperial Page

Replacing a rear wheel brake cylinder.

This is a not too complicated proceedure, providing you have the correct tools. Above and beyond your normal tool kit, you will need a heavy duty hub puller, a heavy hammer and a 1 3/8 inch wrench, preferably a socket wrench with a long handle.

Click on images to enlarge

Jacking up . . . The Hub . . . The 1 3/8 in. castle nut

Make sure you use a jack stand, and put a stop at the front tires, as the parking brake only operates on the rears. Remove the wheel. The wheel nuts are removed by turning the nuts clockwise. Remove the cotter pin holding the castle nut in place and then remove the castle nut. The castle nut comes off anti-clock wise.

Hub puller in place . . . hub off . . . brake shoes off

You will need a good strong hub puller. You will also need a good heavy hammer. Do not be tempted to try to insert a screw driver bewtween the hub and the backing plate. The backing plate is very thin and will buckle, and you will not have moved the hub even a fraction of an inch. Once the hub is removed, pry off the springs holding the brake shoes in place. Getting them off is relatively easy. Getting them back on is another story. A long, strong, thin, screw driver will be a good bet.

Middle plate . . .backing plate on . . . backing plate off . . . the tapered axle

Disconnect the brake line from the brake cylinder at this point. The cylinder is connected only to the middle plate only, but you will have to remove the middle plate to get it off. Turning the 3/8 pipe connector is much easier if the cylinder is fixed in place. (This is NOT what you are looking at! I got it wrong.) The middle plate is actually quite a complex piece. The adjusting nuts are integral to it and protrude through the backing plate. The backing plate is loose after you remove the five nuts holding on the middle plate.

replacement cylinder . . . the tucked away master cylinder . . . up close

Purchasing a replacement cylinder is relatively easy. There are some specialist stores on the internet that can supply them, but it is one of the few pieces you can buy off the shelf at NAPA. Its part number 32555. Getting to the master cylinder continues to a royal pain. Its a two person job. One person to start the engine and stomp the brake, the other to wedge the booster in the withdrawn position.

"Close Window to Return to Previous Page"