The brakes are to a point where we could remove the rear axle for the rebuild/upgrades. Basically they are somewhat bled and not leaking fluid. We pulled the rear end and disassembled it. There was more metal packed into the outboard side of the passenger side carrier bearing, and there was no crush sleeve on the pinion. The outer pinion bearing has turned gold-ish brown-ish color I believe due to over heating. This was alarming at first but I've read that some folks use shims behind the bearing races to set bearing preload vs a spacer or crush sleeve. I haven't knocked the pinion races out yet, but I'll let y'all know what I find out when I do. I have all the parts and most of the tools to complete the rebuild, I've been trying to buy a 12 ton press for a week but the tool store can't get their crap together. Hopefully I can pick one up tomorrow, if not I'll use the press at the auto hobby shop on base where I work. Here are a few pics, including one of me looking enthused about working on the Old Girl tonight, I'm getting tired...
Under hood is mostly buttoned up for the brake swap.
Front caliper/rotor
Rear caliper/rotor (old axles)
New Wilwood master cylinder, Tuff Stuff booster assembly, and captainfab mount bracket.
To quote Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, "I'm just happy to be here, and the good lord willing we'll win a few."
