I brought this over from my topic thread at the AMC Eagle EVO forum.
OK time to start a new project thread. Starting to bring the SX/4, the deer slayer, back to life. First power washing done. The next will be with soap. Next, the rear brakes.
The first thing I wanted to do is rebuild the back brakes with new lines (they were rotten), new wheel cylinders and shoes. I knew that all the rest was good as I had done a brake job not that many miles ago before the lines went bad. But I neglected to change out the wheel cylinders. One did "blow", so I knew it was time to do that too.
Right wheel off. Soaking with PB Blaster before even thinking about trying to remove the drum.
The Drum was a pain to get off. But, finally, success! The wheel cylinder was full of rust and crud and the pistons were frozen in place.
31 years of nasty on the outside of that wheel cylinder.
And, 31 years of nasty on the inside.
Fresh new wheel cylinder
Degreased and black paint applied. Picked up a stick of brake line to start the replumbing process and then install some fresh new parts.
Cleaning up the brake cylinder push rods (AMC called them links) Clean on the right, not cleaned yet on the left.
Made a new line from the wheel cylinder to the flex hose "T". For such a short line it took a lot of trial fitting to get the last bend to the "T" right.
Brake line installed.
Brakes are done on the passenger side. New parts were the line from the "T" to the wheel cylinder, new wheel cylinder and new linings. I reused everything else after cleaning and inspecting. I had renewed all of the hardware not that many miles ago until the wheel cylinder blew. I also applied brake grease to a moveable parts and wear points (except the linings of course). Tomorrow I will pressure wash the underside on that side while I have the wheel off and up in the air a bit. Apply some rust stopper and inhibiter and then undercoat. Then on to the driver's side. Retirement is nice so that you can take your time and make sure its done right.
Began the process of taking trim, logos, and such off of the SX/4. Still awaiting for the arrival of my heavy duty drum puller to get the uber stubborn drum off of the left side, so that I can finish the rear brakes. I will be replacing the door paddles with the black wrangler ones, so the old ones can stay on for a while longer.
The right tool for the right job. Heavy Duty Brake Puller made short work of pulling this rust encrusted, frozen drum off. If you get this kind make sure to put a couple of lug nut back on, backed off a bit for your safety. It is all explained in the instructions that come with it.
All of the crap in the drum was what was holding it from coming off with other types of persuasion.
Now it is time to do this side and be done with the brakes (I hope).
A new fuel pump (for the Eagle) deserves new lines as well. The rubber line from the steel tank supply line to the pump was so rotted that it was down to the fabric covering and had collapsed. The pump was only $17 at Advance Auto, and in stock!
Grille area stripped out in preparation for refurbishment. Next, the interior.
New Wrangler 1/2 door handles have arrived. Appear to be an exact fit and made from steel, not pot metal. Heavier than the OE ones.
Topic: Project Deerslayer (Read 3768 times)