jamiej

Dear all,

After recently swapping the rear axle bushes from the shot Ford ones to lovely Purple powerflex ones I have noticed that although the knocking at the back has subsided slightly, there now is a new noise which seems almost certainly related to wheel speed.

My experience is pointing me towards wheel bearings, but after having a quick look at the brakes when (attempting to) swap(ing) the rear axle the shoes looked pretty shot also.

so.... Im thinking, keep it simple and just totally swap the rear drums for some replacement ones of a breaker. I think I can work out how to take the old drums off...

4 bolts on the back
drill out 2 rivets

the whole lots just falls off.

BUT, how do i disconnect (and probably more importantly) reconnect the handbrake cable going to the drum.

I have done a little search but cannot seem to find the answer.

Any thoughts/opinions/guidance much appreciated.

For the sake of clarity:-

Ford Fiesta 1.25 2001 '51, non ABS.

Thanks
Jamie

Shilly

you need to remove the drum from backing and release the hand brake cable from the shoes

jamiej

Presumably once the drum cover is off, releasing the cable from shoes is a straightforward job?

Jamie

Shilly

Pretty much straight forward one the drums off would suggest taking a picture for refit purposes mate

BLU

iTrader: (1)

Yeah it just un-hooks from the handbrake shoe.

You only need to replace the bearing in the drum you know. Take the drum off , undo the large nut behind the cover in the centre (30 or 32mm) release the handbrake (via the lever!) and wiggle the drum off over the brake shoes. Take drum and new bearing to a garage to press old one out and new one in then re-fit the drum.

Hopefully the bearing won't fall to bits and leave the inner race on the stub axle. These are a right pain to remove......

jamiej

Ah ha, well that could make a things a little easier.

So, just to clarify...

Lossen Hub Nut
Lossen wheel Nuts
Jack up
remove wheel
Handbrake off
pull drum off
take to garage to press new bearing in.

If the inner race is stuck on the stub axle, a bearing puller should get that off right?

I won't need to mess about with the bolts on the back, or remove any of the acutal brake components or drum back plate ?!

Would anyone recommend getting some new mintex drums with the bearings already installed?

Is there a guide anywhere?

Apologies
Jamie

BLU

iTrader: (1)

Yup thats it, spot on!

I'd only get the mintex drums if they are't that much dearer than the bearings, as the rear drums don't do 'that' much braking. IMHO of course

A bearing puller won't work as there is nowt to grip. I just grind the race down until i'm almost at the stub axle then knock it with a chisel until it cracks. It then slides off.

jamiej

The saga continues.

New wheel bearing lasted about 200 miles

Part was a TruPart bearing, would not recommend!

The bearing failed and took out the Stub Axle and brake drum with it.

I have replaced the Stub Axle and Drum from parts from a breakers, and installed a lovely SKF bearing which I hope has more longevity than the TruPart one.

Now, after drinving around for a bit, there is an occasional grinding/rub noise which I think is coming from the suspent rear corned. Could this be related to the "new" drum bedding in with the original brake pads. The drum was not new, but from a breakers as explained above.

The best way to describe the noise is that which you hear when you stray over the white line on a motorway, only a much feinter. Any thoughts?

Also, from using the handbrake whilst driving along, there is now a hideous brake inbalance with the replacement side breaking much less that the otherside. Should this self adjust?

To summarise. Is it common to have any strange noises from a replacement (not new) brake drum whilst the drum is bedding in with original shoes.

Also how do the drums self adjust.

Thanks in advance.

Jamie

If this noise gets worse and worse, next step will be a complete replacement rear axle with all the parts already bolted onto it!