Cadillac Repair: 1992 cadillac deville, Nets key pathway issues, Rich Pacheco

Question
QUESTION: I just bleed my right rear brake on my 1992 cadillac deville. I just relized that it looks like their is fluid coming out out of the wheel cylinder where the gaskets are. Is this suppose to happen or does this mean that I am going to have to replace the cylinder. I also cant get the drum on either. I can take a picture of the cylinder to show if need be. Thanks.

ANSWER: Well,

There is a reason you can't get the drum back on. Actually two. Commonly the e brake is extended an has to be relieved, also shoes need to be centered and what I would do is just smack them with a hand on each side. Are you dealing with a rusty car?

You need a wheel cylinder and because of it's age, I highly recommend both rears. Not a big deal to change, but if working with rus, can be challenging and a torch is carefully used.
If you change only one, it will hold up to pressure which the other one won't and it will leak or bow out.

Once you change wheel cylinders, write me again and I will go into your adjustments.
Are you changing shoes and machining drums? With it's age, I would recommend a hardware kit as well.
Brakes are one area you don't want to be cheap on.

http://www.autotheftexpert.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: yeah I am changing both cylinders. I checked the e brake it is fully released. I think the shoes moved on me. I am going to have my dad help me change the cylinder and adjust everything for me. He is really good at doing it.I am not sure if I am going to change the shoes or not. Same thing with the drum I am not sure if I am going to get the drums machined or not. What is the advantage of changing the shoes. Also could you explain to me why you need to have the drum machined and what advantages it does. I really would like to know because I might change the shoes and get the drum machined. Thanks.

Answer
Hello,

Well,

You already have all this apart. Don't know the type of condition the shoes are in or how old they are (yes, it makes a difference), if they are glazed over etc. Age affects them because the lining can crack and fall off the shoe. If you don't machine, your brakes will surge and rumble because they are egg shaped an shiny and glazed.
The cost factor is not that much money and you should never have to have the rear drums off again for the life of the car.
as far as the hardware, the hold down springs have been in the same position for 20 years and could be subject to breakage.

I am a maintanace freak. when taking on something like this, I would doo the whole thing right. I have never broken down or had an issue. Brakes these days are so cheap. You can probably buy new shoes for $20 or less. Machining is about $15 per drum if that and the hardware kit, which I don't know the price on.
Before you put the shoes on, there are three tabs on each sie that are embossed where the break shoes hold down to. Very lightly with your finger, place some grease on them. That will stop brake squeak.

If you put shoes on and don't machine drums, you will have a hard time for adjustment because one area will be tight and another loose. Machining the drum gives it a trued or perfect equal surface the shoes are applied to.

As for the e brake, what we id in that road salt ridden Wisconsin, was to take a vice grips on each cable, close to the axle and hammer it rearward because they stuck, even though they appeared to be disengaged. God, I hated working on cars from up there!

http://www.autotheftexpert.com