The stripping of the BRAKES started in all earnest, had to remove the drivers side front to get a complete set from Volkspares...bent the wallot a bit more than I expected, but wanting to keep the original wheels on, it is the price to be paid I guess. I shall look at the Disk-Brake conversion if I am going for mags - the challenge there is to get similar "Wide-&-Narrow 5's " and then get a single adaptor plate to ensure the spare can go on either front or rear.
Left Front (there was NO Dust plate and abviously no internals and or flexible hose):
LF Brake drum.jpg
and what it should look like...
RF Drum Assy.jpg
Getting the Tyre/Drum assy's of was also not a 5min job as expected, having borrowed the 46mm Slogging/Flogging spanner from a neighbour got the wheelnut off, eventually.... and then the drums would still not just slide off - even having released all tension on the adjuster screws!!! Some Q20 overnight did not do much, ended up putting a "scissor jack" on the frame and on the tyre to put so pressure on the wheel, then add a Good DOLLOP HEAT onto the drum to persuade it to release from the spline shaft, and for good measure the 4-pounds hammer at the bottom end of the tire - just to balance a bit of pressure to ensure a uniform release on the splines....and Bobs-ur-Uncle...she's popped off! Patience and wisdom put to the test!!!
One of the bigger challenges for me at this stage is getting the *(&^#!$@ Wheelnuts off the drums...already broke one head CLEAN off. I've applied Q20, ATF, DeOxydene, HEAT, HAMMER, Double-Spanner.....so the only way I see remaining is to load them four "AIR-PLAIN" wheels into the car and off to a Tyre-fitment centre to get them Pneumatic Impact-Wrench to give it a "Can-of-Whoop-Ass"! And YES, the Compressor is on the Birthday Wishlist
!
Once the wheels came off, the front brake components were all intact:
RF Brake Assy dirt.jpg
ain't much life left at the "shoe adjuster" end, but the top at the Slave Cylinder (SC) can still go a tad...will have to get the linings refurb'ed on all four corners.
It cleaned up well:
RF Brake Assy clean.jpg
I've installed the LF brake assembly (ex Volkspares) and after cleaning all four corners started bleeding the system to check for any leaks, and initially all went well. Started Left Rear, Right Rear, Left front...and then suddenly I heard that dreaded HISSING SOUND (I can soo relate to poor ol Adam in the Garden of Eden!!!). It ended up being the Left Rear Slave Cylinder that has pushed the seal out. This has just fast-tracked the procurement of either the Slave Cylinder Service kits or the whole Slave Cylinders - planning on getting all four corners sorted once-&-for-all!
So what will be the advice here guys, service kit vs total slave cylinder replacement? If budget is no constraint the latter is the obvious option, but what have you all done? look at the general condition of the wheels, & brakes I don't think the bus was driven often/regularly in the last 5-8 years. According to the local "Brake-&-clutch" dealers, the service kits aint available (discontinued), so they can work some magic by getting closest possible kits in there. Then my next question is do I give the SC's in for full refurbishment by them?
Still have to get the shocks sorted as well - seems like this bus was used to fix up another.... Right Rear has NO SHOCK!
RR no Shock.jpg
Front Windscreen - got a replacement unit from HERBY_53 - Tx Andreas! Will get the rubber (Is Pro-Auto Rubber the best option here?) and then get to fitment thereof over the next week or two - seen it done MANY times, so its time to get the practical experience under the belt! Are there any snags that I should be aware of, tips/tricks?
Got the Bus Change of Ownership done, collected them papers this morning, so at least it is now OFFICIALLY mine.
Unfortunately I missed the
"KKK Kamp-Out" with the Brakes Issue, hopefully we will make it for 2016! Saw the photos, so while you were having a "COLD-ONE" I was trying to get the bus "stoppable"!
Your advice is always appreciated.
Cheers,
Marius.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
You are a bus nutter for sure bru - congrats again 
