Firstgens.com

Ok I blew one of the rear drum slave cylinders last night....it was the replacement for the orginal factory ones I put nearly 200,000 miles ago in the mid 80s.

We really dont have a how to section.....

Anyway how to replace rear drum slaves (and may also apply to front drums..dont have them dont know)
Note you do not have to dismantle the brake shoes.

Always replace both sides.
1/Jackup rear, put on axle stands, remove wheels and drums.
2/ remove the brake lines and 2 mounting bolts on the back of the cylinders
3/Remove the leading edge..the top front spring
4/The old slave cylinder can be removed...may have to remove the bleeder if an after market bleeder.
IMPOrTANT:
5/unclip the brake line off the diff, and check the nipple thread screws into the new cylinder
What often happens is the end of the nipple expands a couple thou and will not svrew in easy or localte...the last thing one wants is to cross thread it....If it has expanded, doesnt locat and screw in easy, use a fine file and taper off the end of the thread around the nipple, doesnt take much.
IF still doesnt it will be the new slave cylinderthread faulty....get a 1/8 TP 27 blind tap and carefully clean the new cylinder threads, carefull not to damage the flare bit in the bottom.
You brake line will now screw in easy

Cant see what im typing so starting a new post below

6/ put the pressure actvator bar oppsite to the side the spring that was removed...the rear and Slide the new cylinder in, loosely put in one of the mounting bolts
7/ screw in the brake line nipple, the other activaing pin on the otherside of the slave cylinder and line up
8/ re hook the spring back up.
9/ The side farthest from the master cylinder bleed.....now often people say I havent got someone to pump the pedal....this is for those with no imagination.
Get a bit of 2x 3" timber about 18" long, lean against the front of the drivers seat almost vertical
Press the pedal to the floor, measure to the 2x3 and cut a bit of inch dowel or similar scrape of wood...this is to hold the pedal down
Go to the wheel put the ring spanner on the bleed nipple and tubing to drain the fluid..nic up the bleeder.
Now pump the pedal 4 or 5 times, hold down and jam down with youm stick...go to the rear wheel u are bleeding and release the pressure, nic up the bleered and repeat 4 or 5 times making sure the ZMC is full all the time..If not..start again.
10/ Bleed the otherwheel.
11/ for good luck and ruotine maintance also replace..bleed thru ...the fliuds in the front brakes
12/ Check the adjustment ..it should not have changed..and I assume that you do check the adjustment as routine maintance any way....If adjusting, alway back off the E brake before hand.
13..opps cant see what Im typing again

Back to 13/ Use thegarden hose to wash out the insides of the brakes, shoes, springs etc, the rear backing plates and behind the MC and steering box... put the wheels on, torque up the wheel lugs.
14/ Fire up the car, check got brakes, reverse up and firmly use the brakes to stop 3 or 4 times afterthe shoes are dry and gripping.
The self adjusters...If not all gunged with crap because of poor maintance....adjust up the rear brakes in reverse for u, if not far off in the 1st place.
15/ Check adjust E cable.
16/ get the garden hose out, give the rear brake backing plates a good squirt and down behind the MC and the steering box
Final note...If the shoes are baddly impegnated with brake fluid that is not good...should replace them
If only light, A good wash down with brake cleaner and hose off....takes a bit of use for all the fluid to burn off.
17/If havnt hand cleaner, wet your hands then dip your finger into the laundry detergent power and make a good paste, rub in well and rinse off clean hands....If you have a cut..that just sorts out the men from the boys.
18/ rest up , have a beer. Spates is a very nice drop for these occassions.

Cheers
Steps

G'day Steptoe!!!

Thank you for the great post and information, all good stuff for the brain box.
I'm sure Jim has a spot for these tech articles, good on ya mate.

we can certainly make this a sticky!
Thanks Steps

There are heaps of simple basic stuff like this I have been so astonded over the yrs, ppl own these classic cars and really have no idea.
Then there ar the 'tricks of the trade' type things one doesnt find in manuals.
like checking the brake line actuall screws in easy... and why it doesnt, how to fix.......and it is these little tricks, if not known end up with ppl cross threading treads, often not realising they have ,,,and "My brakes are leaking at the brake line ?" people using teflon tape..heaven forbid...