On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:24:29 +0000, Matt Ion wrote:
> Hachiroku ハチ*ク wrote:
>> On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 07:51:21 +0000, Matt Ion wrote:
>>
>>> Hachiroku ハチ*ク wrote:
>>>> Crossing due to the number of knowledgable people spread across these
>>>> groups...
>>>>
>>>> Tried to do the brake shoes on my 89 Mazda 626 today...no go. Couldn't
>>>> get the drum off (spent about 2 hours on one drum...)
>>>>
>>>> No hole to insert a bolt, no hole to adjust the adjuster; manual said
>>>> "Insert screwdriver in hole and push spring retainer to release
>>>> shoes." Absolutely fantastic, except there WAS NO HOLE! I even took
>>>> the spindle nut off since the pics showed no spindle nut...un-uh.
>>>> Nada. No pulling, pounding or prying would get the drum off.
>>>>
>>>> I finally got fed up and put the whole mess back together...
>>>>
>>>> Any hints?
>>> Check on Autozone.com:
>>> http://autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/090...rInfoPages.htm
>>>
>>> There are diagrams showing the (approximate) location of the adjusting
>>> holes on the *back plate*.
>>>
>>> Lilke the other poster said, the rubber plugs are likely very easy to
>>> miss, especially if there's a lot of dirt buildup.
>>
>>
>> Thanks! But, my latest disaster (posted in the Toyota group...)
>>
>> ___________________________________________
>>
>>
>> My First CV Joint!
>>
>>
>> Probably my last. One of those, If it can go wrong, it will...days.
>> First, couldn't get the steering knuckle off the ball joint. When I did,
>> the boot was in poor shape. Autozone has a ball joint. What? It's
>> PRESSED IN?!?!?! WHO THE HELL PRESSES IN BALL JOINTS!!! Replace the
>> lower control arm? I don't think so.
>>
>> Then, trying to pry out the axle...I pried the wrong damn part. Instead
>> of the CV assy, I tryied to pry out the half-shaft. Bent the flange all
>> to crap. New one is $125...
>>
>> Bent the flange back...er, somewhat, got the dust boot off the new ball
>> joint, and on to the old ball joint...er, somewhat, finally got the
>> shaft into the hub...and the ball joint won't seat...
>>
>> I started at 3PM. Finished at 9PM. So tomorrow, I'll rip the whole damn
>> thing apart again and TRY and do it right. The oil seal at the tranny
>> isn't leaking...for now, so I'll just leave it and see what happens.
>>
>> And if it needs to be replaced, I'm PAYING someone to do it!!!
>>
>> (Ya know, there was a guy in town that had a Sunoco station, and he did
>> repairs, and he replaced the CV joint in my Tercel AWD wagon...2 bolts
>> on the top of the steering knuckle, two bolts at the bottom, the
>> strut/hub assy swag out of the way, a quick pry with a screwdriver,
>> insert new oil seal, slide the shaft in, and four bolts (oh, and the
>> axle nut...) and it was done. He charged me $25. THAT one I could have
>> done myself!!!)
>>
>> __________________________________________________ _____
>>
>> I have to straighten this mess out before I go back to the brakes.
>>
>> I'm beginning to think I should just give up and *PAY* someone!!!
>> (Funny, I'm not usually *THIS* much of a Gumby...)
>
> Ah, I feel your pain, I've had the odd disaster in my time... things that
> you look back on the next day and say to yourself, "WTF was I thinking
> when I did THAT???"... things that at first glance with a clear head, you
> realize, "Ahhhh, crap, if I'd done it THAT way it woulda been EASY!"
LOL!!!
Yeah, I have rounded shoulders and a flat forehead.
The rounded shoulders are from shrugging when reading the manual, and the
flat forehead is from smacking it when I realize what I *SHOULD* have done!
>
> Of course, if your mechanic will let you watch, it's always an idea to let
> a pro do it once and find his secrets... then you'll be better prepared to
> do it yourself next time 
I saw a guy change one on my Tercel once, but it was an entirely different
animal. 4 bolts and the hub was free of the axle...
Looked easy to me!
Job's done, went for a 10 mile test drive...<knocking on wood>...