1969 C10 parking brake

[697498chevy]

Drove my long bed about 10 miles to get a couple 10' boards . Felt like the parking brake was on . Got home and both rear dog dish hubcaps were hot . It does roll backward okay on a hill , didn't try going forward . Guess I need to pull the drums and see what's going on . Any thoughts ? THANKS !!

[Steeveedee]

Check the flex hose at the rear axle. It may be holding pressure on the rear brakes.

[697498chevy]

That's a good idea , Steve . Doubt it's ever been changed . THANKS !!

[dmjlambert]

Also, the parking brake "hose" that goes from frame to carry the cable into each brake assembly can seize the inner cable. I've had that happen on 2 different sets of brakes. I think they get rusty and dirty in there and there is no real provision for greasing them.

[697498chevy]

Another good thing to check . My grandsons did drive this old truck last and they used the parking brake . I hardly ever use it . THANKS !

[697498chevy]

Trying to install this Napa 36542 rear brake hose . Have the ez end at the axle loose . Guess the frame end is about the same ? Hard to see and doesn't help that I'm crawling around under my old truck . Can't find a good video . Any tips ? Thanks !

[Rust_never_sleeps]

soak the snot out of that flare nut with oil, then grip that side tight and immobile while turning the hose end.
Mine was so frozen the flare nut rounded itself off and spun in the line wrench, so the hard line kinked at the 90* bend.

[dmjlambert]

Yes, that's it. I had some of them so rusted together the hard line ends up getting destroyed trying to take them apart. Fortunately Inline Tube makes replacement lines that fit pretty well.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Yes, that's it. I had some of them so rusted together the hard line ends up getting destroyed trying to take them apart. Fortunately Inline Tube makes replacement lines that fit pretty well.

It's an easy one to make yourself too, but a bit of a pain to anchor.

[697498chevy]

Got this flex hose off , but did put a big kink in the hard line too . Have one ordered . Hope it's not destroyed when it gets here . If this doesn't do the trick how do I free up the parking brake cable ? Maybe lots of Kroil ? THANKS guys !!

[Rust_never_sleeps]

If you do end up cracking those drums open, open them both up and work on one side at a time so you can go look at the other one when you need to remember how it goes together.
I learned this from Junkyard Digs

[697498chevy]

Thanks , I usually take pics also . Did manage to loosen the brake line close to the firewall without breaking anything . Now I wait for the front to rear hard brake line . Thanks , again !

[dmjlambert]

While you're waiting I recommend remove the parking brake cable/conduit assembly on each side, it is something you can get at the auto parts store if the inner cable doesn't move freely. If you proceed with care you can remove the nail brake shoe retainer and disassemble just enough of the brakes to get the lever out to where you can disengage it from the cable, but it takes finesse and luck so take pictures and plan on the whole brake system falling apart and it'll be a good exercise putting it back together with all those springs and levers. Use a small hose clamp to disengage the fingers that hold the conduit in place. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841288

[697498chevy]

More good advice and pics too ! Parking brake cable might be the problem . THANKS !

[697498chevy]

Anyone know how to loosen the brake hard line clamps close to the axle ? The others just pried down . These last 2 attach to a hole in the frame . Trying not to break anything else . Thanks !

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by 697498chevy

Anyone know how to loosen the brake hard line clamps close to the axle ? The others just pried down . These last 2 attach to a hole in the frame . Trying not to break anything else . Thanks !

I think this is the video that shows that, starting about 04:40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbqzkx9izmE

[dmjlambert]

The ones on my 69 frame appeared to me to have part of the metal bent into a U that sticks through the hole in the frame, and they whacked it with a hammer to smash it and make it stay in the hole. I tried prying the U back into shape with a small punch or nail and shaped it with needle nose pliers and was successful. But those type clamps are probably just meant for using one time.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

The ones on my 69 frame appeared to me to have part of the metal bent into a U that sticks through the hole in the frame, and they whacked it with a hammer to smash it and make it stay in the hole. I tried prying the U back into shape with a small punch or nail and shaped it with needle nose pliers and was successful. But those type clamps are probably just meant for using one time.

I had a mix of these along the frame on the '70, but IDK what's on the axle.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/opg-g200021
I mangled most of them and just used Adel clamps instead.

[697498chevy]

THANKS guys , those lower ones in the pic look about right . Mine do look like one time use also , I'll see if I can knock them out and maybe re-use . Should've said these are the last 2 on the frame . I have also watched that video a couple times . Thanks again !

[697498chevy]

Used a hammer and small chisel on the outside . Couple whacks and then squeezed it together with vice grips . Fell right out . Thanks !

[697498chevy]

Seems the parking brake cable is the problem . Got the rear wheel spinning after hitting and releasing the foot pedal a few times . Checked my book and I replaced the right side in 2002 . Think it was broken ? Oh well , this flex hose needed replacing anyway . While I'm waiting on the hard line I pulled the dif cover . I'm sure it could use some fresh gear oil . What's the best way to refill the rear end ? Been a long time since I've done that . THANKS !!

[72SB]

Originally Posted by 697498chevy

I'm sure it could use some fresh gear oil . What's the best way to refill the rear end ? Been a long time since I've done that . THANKS !!

Valvoline, and likely other brands, now make gear oil in squeeze bags which are easy to fill diff's with

I have a hand pump that fits in the rectangle plastic bottles gear oil also comes in

Old hack for the cylinder shape bottles was to use a piece of hose, about 6" stuffed onto the tapered end of those bottles. IMHO the hand pump version is the most mess free but the new bag ones seem to also work.

[697498chevy]

Good info , didn't know they made squeeze bags . THANKS !!

[697498chevy]

Got everything back together and most of my tools picked up . Kinda made a mess but put about a quart and a half in the diff . Soon as I get some brake fluid I'll bleed the line and go for a test drive . Broke the tab off the 2 brake line clips that poked thru the frame and used a bolt instead . Should be ok .Thanks for the help !

[dmjlambert]

That doesn't sound like very much to fill up a differential, did you fill it up to the fill plug?