Replacing external parking brake band

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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1000sunlight
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Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 1000sunlight » Tue Jul 05, 2022 1:05 pm

Hi does anyone know wether the external contracting band can easily be replaced by undoing the anchor bolt, the J bolt (and sliding it up as far as it’ll go) and wiggling the band off? ie without complete removal of any major fittings?

There seems to be a total absence of any information on procedure for replacement!!

Thanks


Wolfman
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by Wolfman » Tue Jul 05, 2022 1:16 pm

The anchor bolt and the J bolt have to both be removed and then yes, the band just slides off.
The J bolt goes through a hole in the cast arm that is part of the rear bearing retainer housing.
Until the J bolt is completely removed, no joy. The band will not come off.
No need to remove the rear drive shaft.
While I am at it.
On reassembly. Put the new band back with all the parts.
Tighten the J bolt but leave it a little loose.
Adjust the anchor bolt to get the correct band to drum clearance and then adjust the J bolt last.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

1000sunlight
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 1000sunlight » Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:07 pm

Thanks Mike very helpful. Does the J bolt come out ok?

I see some have had troubles with it where it hits the floor and with mine there is a bit less than 1/2” still in the top bracket - again will it wiggle out somehow or can I cut the end off the thread as there’s a long length of unused thread anyway?

Best regards
Last edited by 1000sunlight on Wed Jul 06, 2022 12:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

Scrumps
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by Scrumps » Tue Jul 05, 2022 11:48 pm

Hi,

Yes you can, I watched a couple of guys change one yesterday.

Don’t forget the spring behind the anchor bolt on the passenger side is a pig to get back in afterwards. It sits in quite a deep recess if I recall correctly.

Scrumps.
Dec '42 Willys MB
Aug ‘44 Willys MB
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1000sunlight
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 1000sunlight » Wed Jul 06, 2022 12:33 am

Has anyone done this themselves? G503 and the TM’s are a mine of information on most maintenance down to the chronology of wheel nuts but everything is silent on the external brake band replacement procedure. No YouTube videos or anything, and a lot of videos are doing stuff on a rolling chassis which is no good to most of us that have an 80 year old body in place (the car not us!) Most of it is obvious but I don’t want to disassemble to then have to do something ridiculous like that guy who cut a hole in his floor.

Any comments on this J bolt removal most welcome. Thanks again and

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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by Wolfman » Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:39 am

I haven't been counting how many times I have taken an E brake apart but taking an E-brake band off really is not rocket science.
Remove the anchor bolt with the spring that pushes the band away from the drum. As you tighten the anchor bolt, it pushes the band closer to the drum against the spring.
And the J-bolt. There are springs on each side of the arm the J bolt goes through that pushes the band open.
When the J bolt nut is adjusted, the nut on the J bolt tightens the open ends of the band closer to the arm, against the springs and tightens the band tighter on the drum.
Remove the nut on the J bolt. Take the E brake cable off the cams and pull the J bolt and remove it. Don't lose the springs.
May have to remove the 2 cams from the J bolt.
The J bolt is pulled up to remove and the problem you are having is with the bolt hitting the tub before coming completely out of the arm ??
Maybe why you are thinking about cutting the end off the J bolt ??
Seems there is an issue with this.
Have a cellphone ? Take a picture of the assembly before you start. Your own library.
Last edited by Wolfman on Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

1000sunlight
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 1000sunlight » Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:47 am

You make it sound very simple Wolfman, and it is as far as I can see - except for the J bolt removal !! You’ve mentioned that’s as ‘pull it off’ and if only it was that easy it would be done and I’d be off down the road.

Reality is a bitch and back to J bolt removal - how in heck does it come off? And if anyone says ‘undo the nut’ they’ll get a virtual kick in them!!!! :)

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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by Wolfman » Wed Jul 06, 2022 6:01 am

I just edited my last post.
Tub on is an issue. The J bolt won't clear the arm it goes through to pull the band off the drum before hitting the tub.
Correct??
Shorten the J bolt. There will be plenty left to do the job.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

1000sunlight
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 1000sunlight » Thu Jul 07, 2022 1:44 pm

I’ve changed the two cams with NOS items with a deeper profile which should exert more force. The old cams are noticeably worn - and worth replacing on any parking brake rebuild.

Can’t upload photos!

What is the procedure for removal of the drum? Mine is well worn!

Scrumps
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by Scrumps » Thu Jul 07, 2022 10:31 pm

Hi,

To remove the drum you need to disconnect the rear prop shaft, remove the split pin and nut from the centre of the yolk and pull the entire assembly off.

It is a good idea to drain the transfer box oil first otherwise it will drain out of the oil seal as you pull the yolk.

Usually a good idea to have a new rear seal to hand , and change it if necessary while it’s apart.

The yolk should come out of the drum, but the seal guard will have to be removed to allow that to happen.

Re-fitting, is the reverse of removal.

Scrumps
Dec '42 Willys MB
Aug ‘44 Willys MB
2021 New Defender 90 D250 HSE
2005 Landrover 90 CSW
2024 Range Rover Sport
1967 MGB
Royal Navy Weapons Engineer 1979-2007.

48commando
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 48commando » Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:06 am

I’m really struggling with getting the J bolt back on as well. My brake band has been replaced previously with the body in place. So there must be a way around this. Just out of interest does anyone have the overall length of an original J bolt!
Cheers
Sean.

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dpcd67
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by dpcd67 » Fri Sep 29, 2023 6:35 am

6 1/4 inch
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch

48commando
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Re: Replacing external parking brake band

Post by 48commando » Sat Sep 30, 2023 6:45 am

Thank for that dpcd 👍


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