Rear inner Dust Cap Removal strategy

J

JHeslinga

Member
Feb 9, 2011
619
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16
Over the years I remember someone posting how to modify the rear inner dust caps so they can easily be removed with a tool of some sort.
I seem to remember it was welding a nut to the cap that will allow a bolt to be inserted and then pulled.

I'm having difficulty finding the post and/ or the details of that modification.

Anyone know where I can find the post?
Or know through details and can describe them to me.

Thanks all!
--
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
 
A search found this:

>> Trying to ascertain the condition of my rear brake shoes

>> Outer cap is off but how does the inner cap come out. The manual says "remove inner cap" that helps a lot!!
>
>
> Search on the GMC forum for inner brake dust cap --
> Results show using a bent screwdriver or a paint can opener.

And once you have them off, since you're going to be doing
this a number of times in the future, have your local guy
with a brazing torch or a welding wand tack on a 3/8"-20 nut
to the center of each cap. Then any old 3/8"-20 bolt and a
pair of channel locks will be the tool du jour. I've found
that a bent screwdriver or paint can opener are harder to
find in my tool cabinet than a bolt and channel locks. Or
you could use a small slide hammer.

It works great and minimizes the quantity of blood you have
clean up after the bent screwdriver or paint can opener
slips and your hand loses the debate with the hard and sharp
metal objects surrounding the work area.

Toby Maki
'73 Glacier 230
Riverside, CA

--
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan
 
Mine were gouged and dented from previous chicanery before I bought the coach, so removing without destruction was not an option. However, the proper
size new caps are available at Advance and NAPA. I don't have the part number handy right now, but if you can't find it I will dig into the past.
Still doesn't make removal easier, but at least they are not made of unobtanium.
--
Terry Kelpien

ASE Master Technician

73 Glacier 260

Smithfield, Va.
 
Thank You ALL!!

Braze a 3/8" nut to the dust cap.

Yes: My dust caps are all badly damaged from the multiple attempts to remove them in many unsuccessful ways. The worst part is I have a marvelous
tool for removing dust caps but it won't go into the recess!!

I purchased new caps (2.5 inch from the Dorman HELP line of products.(part number 13974) They are not the dome type that is original but the bell
shape found on a lot of Fords. (Seems to be the only ones I can get for 2.5 inch. Expensive buggers though. ($10.50 plus tax canadian) The top is
flat and that would make a good place to braze the nuts on. I have not installed them yet nor confirmed their fit but I suspect there will be no
problem.
Here is what the cap looks like. (Check out the total cost including shipping if I caught it from our Amazon.ca?
https://www.amazon.ca/ref=mw_hm

Here are the numbers I got from GMCMY PARTS. Com They helped me find what I needed.

Auto zone 13974 HELP # 2.5 inch FORD
Dorman 618-504
Ford C8TZ-1131-C 68 to 05 ford
GM 15680212
GM 700226
GMC 3936465
NAPA Balkamp NOE 733-1404
--
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
 
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