After a fierce and grueling battle with rust, Del Carpenter gives the victory
"pump" after removing one of the wheels while co-helper Bud Dinger looks on. |
Nothing comes off the Futurliner easily and often times improvising is a necessity in
order to separate components from one another. Here we see what looks like a
hydraulic jack being used as as a puller for the brake drum. The jack is placed on the
inside of the drum, against the shaft, and a chain with hooks on either end is looped over
the top. The jack was then pumped up, pulling the brake drum off. You can see the size of
the drum in the next picture, down and to the left. |
This photo shows a set of brake shoes still attached. Del Carpenter and Basil Lewis spent
an day trying to remove two pins that hold the right rear brake shoes in place on the
Futurliner. Although these pins were designed to be greased, including the holes in the pins for the
grease to travel to the lubrication points, grease fittings were never installed. The pins
were rusted fast. Using heat from a torch, the largest hammer and drivers available and
lots of WD-40 the lower pin finally came loose. They spent two more hours working on the
lower pin, gave up and decided to soak it in WD-40. They removed it at the following
week's work session. Click here to see the "after"
picture. |
This is one of the massive brake drums. Reports from Weller
Truck, who is restoring the drums, were that they were in good shape and wouldn't have to
be replaced. The drums will need only to be refurbished.
DRUMS &
SHOES RESTORED & RETURNED
Volunteer John Wiltjer (below right) borrowed a truck from the Weller Truck
Company, loaded up the two rear brake drums and took them over to their shop for
restoration. They agreed to restore the drums for free. John then returned with a friend,
Paul Bogarduf, and they picked up the rear brake shoes and went off to Parker Brake
Company. There they met with owner Monte Wohlford, whom both Paul and John have known for
years. To make a long story short, Parker Brake donating new brake shoes to the project.
Conrad DeJong and John Wiltjer prepare to unload the refurbished brake drums and new
shoes. Wrapped in shrink-wrap is the refurbished differential, courtesy of Weller Truck as
well. |
