Tuesday, March 12, 2013

LDV Pilot rear wheel drum and hub: changing the wheel cylinder

Ok -

This is just some basic information on how I changed the rear wheel cylinder on a 2003 Pilot - I think most cylinders in most vehicles operate the same - I watched a few video's and saw various methods and fixings - here's what I found...

BTW - there is a way to do this without taking the shoes out - but I was going to change the shoes anyway.

Stuff I needed:
Research:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8k5GfTpZr4&list=PLD3_GkY1HOeh76Y-OeWRSKgRwUZUWQ8pB&index=2 << shows the basics, LDV Pilot is a slightly different fixing on the cylinder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4HqLoDjVRA << bit slow but shows basic start to process

- Brake cleaner (spray) brake fluid EVERYWHERE> this really helped
- phillips screwdriver for drum retainer screw
- Pliers for spring removal
- axel stands x2 (and chocks for the front wheels)
- spanner (11?) to loosen the pipe fixing to the back of cylinder
- spanner for (8/10) loosening the bleed nipple
- new wheel cylinder, possibly brake shoes if they are soaked compromised through the brake fluid
- bleeding kit / bottle and pipe (see here at 5:37: http://youtu.be/V5O_pbC8R2E?t=5m37s )

1. Loosen the wheel nuts on the offending wheel, Chock the front wheels, jack up, stick the stands under the rear axel, one each side.
2. Take the wheel nuts off, then the wheel, then the handbrake.
3. Spin the drum - it should turn freely
4. find the retainer screw, take it out
The retainer screw half out of the drum
5. Either the drum slides off (not very likely) or you have to just keep hitting the drum with a hammer and turning it... it will eventually crack and begin to come off... like so;

Under the drum... this sight awaits...

6. Basically, I tool the springs out of their holes with a pair of pliers on my leatherman (thanks Ludo) but you can use long nose pliers or something else suitable... I didn't do it in any particular order, but laid the springs between the new shoes to note what went where...


 7. The handbrake is attached to the base of the right brake shoe - simply pull the metal outer cable spring back to expose the cable and slip from the fixture

handbrake cable end location 
8. With the cable and shoes removed, you can start taking the cylinder off> undo the brake pipe nut from the back of the cylinder- there will be some brake fluid leak from the pipe, you can find a way to stop the leak, such as the rubber cap for the bleed nipple.




9. Get the circlip off; slide the old cylinder away from the hub.

 10. Clean up the hub with brake cleaner, then time to fit the new cylinder; get the circlip on first as the pipe screws in easy.

New cylinder pipe and circlip on
 11. Thats the cylinder done really!

 12. Use some copper grease (I only had lithium here) just where the shoes rub on the hub to help prevent squealing - some on the back of the drum also (no pic) so its less likely to be a sod to get off the next time...


13. Get your shoes on!

14. Bleed the brakes (see video above in 'research')

As you can see here, I gave the old shoes a good clean, a brief very very fine sand, as I couldn't work out how to get this handbrake fixture off on of the shoes:


Its the next job:::

Hope this helps - let me know any questions/ advice!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

LDV Pilot van - UK regulations

Bills paid.
Road tax duty stamp at £215.00.
MOT coming up in March.

I need to fix the defectuous rear bumper which fell this morning as I lightly hit a tree while manoeuvring. Had to fix it for ages now really have to do it.
The fan belt still haven't been changed (!)
need a new extra tyre.
Need to fix the rear light better then the gaffer tape the previous owner fixed it with.

Need a look into the electrics for start up troubles.
And do the imminent address change.

Finally I'd love to take the time to properly seal the body for water leak and carry on with rust treatment as well as body repair (very appealing job for a sculptor like I).
Pics later.

LDV Pilot van - under the snow



That wasn't its favourite season. Despite a lot of Pilot's owners who claim this van always starts up, mine found it difficult under cold and wet conditions. I changed the battery to a new one but it still had troubles. I guess it's got to do with the heads not heating up properly. Something in the electrics?
Needs to be investigated further...