Just finished this part of the project so I figured it would be a good first post in the Brakes & Suspension section these are the front drums from a '62 ChevyII.

Drum brake rebuild for dummies.

Wheel Cylinder:

Disassemble the cylinder. Using a bar clamp, 17mm socket and a 1 1/8" socket. Press the smaller socket through the cylinder and push the inner workings into the larger socket. This is a 1" cylinder, for other sizes different sockets may be used.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/cylinder1.jpg

Disassembled wheel cylinders.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/cylinder2.jpg

Clean pistons and hone the cylinders using a brake hone. If any of the inside surface of the cylinder is pitted, it should be replaced to prevent leakage.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/cylinder3.jpg

Re-assemble the cylinders using a new spring and cup kit.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/cylinder4.jpg

Wheel cylinder rebuild kits $8ea Replacement cylinders $41-$110 Savings of $66-$204 to rebuild vs. replace.

Drums, yes they are 4 lug.

Start with your original drums. Check vs. factory specifications to ensure that they are safe to use.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/drum1.jpg

Sandblasted.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/drum2.jpg

Painted.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/drum3.jpg

Wheel bearing races.

Use a 1" socket and extension to drive out the outer bearing race. And a punch to drive out the inner bearing race and seal. Notice the freshly turned braking surface.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/bearing1.jpg

Take one of each race and using a bench grinder, grind off 1/16" of the outer surface and save. In the pic, the front races are ground and the rear are not.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/bearing2.jpg

Clean the bearing mounting surface in the drum, being sure to grind down any flashing left behind from the punch. Using the 1 1/8" socket and the perspective “modified” race, drive the new races into the brake drum.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/bearing3.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/bearing4.jpg

Bearings.

Pack the new bearings with grease. I found the “Handy Packer” from CarQuest to be very easy to use.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/packing1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/packing2.jpg

Install bearings and seals to the drum.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/packing3.jpg

Clean brake hardware and replace as necessary, pay close attention to the adjusting assemblies. Replace shoes as needed.

Before.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/oldbrakes.jpg

After cleaning, new shoes and installation.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/newbrakes.jpg

Install the drum and tighten to factory specs.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/nightshade63/62%204%20door/finished.jpg
Cylinder rebuild $16
Drum turning $16
Shoes $18
Bearings $85
Total rebuild $135.00 for both front drums.

Nice job, the orange paint is an interesting touch.

How did the cup feel in the wheel cylinder after it was honed? It doesn't take much to be out of spec on them allowing the fluid to bypass. Did you use brake fluid to lube the hone and then flush with brake fluid? Any thing else used as a lube will cause problems. When I can't slide the pistons out by hand I don't even bother taking the cylinder apart. But of course with only a 4 banger unless your going down hill you don't need much braking :D

Nice pics, and good details. Although it does make me glad I have a Camaro. Wheel cylinders $8-$10 each. + tax:clonk: And all I have to do is bolt them on.:D

NIGHTSHADE,

What's the cost of the Bearing Packer or does it vary? I've not priced one.

In the Old days, we used to simply pack bearings with grease in our hands after cleaning the old grease out with gasoline or other fun toxins. Used to be a real slick deal, where the gas was great for skin conditioning.

Nice pictorial, Thank You!!

That packer was something like $16 at Auto value. Same for checker/cragens, advanced and autozone.

Should look at getting things together and submit it to Chevy punch. This is the kind of tech people like to see! I got a pair for of rear wheel cylinders of E-bay for $10.00 + shipping. They might not have the right name stamped on them for factory correct, but who is going to see them!

Should look at getting things together and submit it to Chevy punch. This is the kind of tech people like to see! I got a pair for of rear wheel cylinders of E-bay for $10.00 + shipping. They might not have the right name stamped on them for factory correct, but who is going to see them!

What would I need to get together?

I don't know, but I'm sure the Chevy Punch editors have some basic guidelines for article submissions. Have to find them and ask them!

I think I just did!!:)

This is exactly what they are looking for. I know the editors name is Tony, but I don't know his user ID, he mostly hangs out on the chevelle board.
You could always pm Al.

Basically, they need a text file, and separate Hi-res pics.

That was too easy. Tony's ID here is 70L34.