FUTURLINER BRAKES
 After a fierce and grueling battle with rust, Del Carpenter gives the victory "pump" after removing one of the wheels while co-helper Bud Dinger looks on. |
 Nothing comes off the Futurliner easily and often times improvising is a necessity in order to separate components from one another. Here we see what looks like a hydraulic jack being used as as a puller for the brake drum. The jack is placed on the inside of the drum, against the shaft, and a chain with hooks on either end is looped over the top. The jack was then pumped up, pulling the brake drum off. You can see the size of the drum in the next picture, down and to the left. |
 This photo shows a set of brake shoes still attached. Del Carpenter and Basil Lewis spent an day trying to remove two pins that hold the right rear brake shoes in place on the Futurliner. Although these pins were designed to be greased,including the holes in the pins for the grease to travel to the lubrication points, grease fittings were never installed. The pins were rusted fast. Using heat from a torch, the largest hammer and drivers available and lots of WD-40 the lower pin finally came loose. They spent two more hours working on the lower pin, gave up and decided to soak it in WD-40. They removed it at the following week's work session. Click here to see the "after" picture. |
 This is one of the massive brake drums. Reports from Weller Truck, who is restoring the drums, were that they were in good shape and wouldn't have to be replaced. The drums will need only to be refurbished. DRUMS & SHOES RESTORED & RETURNED Volunteer John Wiltjer (below right) borrowed a truck from the Weller Truck Company, loaded up the two rear brake drums and took them over to their shop for restoration. They agreed to restore the drums for free. John then returned with a friend, Paul Bogarduf, and they picked up the rear brake shoes and went off to Parker Brake Company. There they met with owner Monte Wohlford, whom both Paul and John have known for years. To make a long story short, Parker Brake donating new brake shoes to the project.  Conrad DeJong and John Wiltjer prepare to unload the refurbished brake drums and new shoes. Wrapped in shrink-wrap is the refurbished differential, courtesy of Weller Truck as well. |
 Basil Lewis holds one of the enormous brake shoes. Parker Brake Company will be donating new shoes to the project. |
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Article permission provided by:
Don Mayton
www.futurliner.com
A Project of the National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States.
http://www.natmus.org/
Don Mayton
www.futurliner.com
A Project of the National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States.
http://www.natmus.org/
