as the master cylinder had been. Here again, it is possible in many
instances to hone the cylinders and install new cups, but new
wheel cylinders are fairly inexpensive and are readily available.
With labor rates as they are, it is often not cost effective to have
professionals rebuild wheel cylinders.
If the brake system was operable, it would be necessary to clamp
the ends of the wheel cylinders when removing the shoes to
prevent the wheel cylinder cups from blowing out. In this case, the
system was dry, so after carefully removing the inner wheel
bearing and seal, the brake return spring is removed so the service
brake shoe guide pins (two per shoe) could be removed. Vise-Grips
hold the nut, while a socket is used to unscrew the pins. This, along
with removal of the C-washer from the anchor pin at the bottom of
each shoe, allows the brake shoes to be removed. Use care so that
the anti-rattle springs on each long guide pin, as well as the lower
guide pin washers, are not lost.