Leaderboard

I had to unseize the brake shoe lever on the left side. As a loosely mounted component in the backplate it presented a challenge. After thinking for a bit I used a pair of vice grips to clamp the thinner end of the shoe side lever to the cast bridge between the shoes. Then I drenched the joint in PlusGas and went to work with a hammer and flat punch on the lever poking out the back of the backplate. A few taps from the left then a few from the right and the lever hinge started moving. Eventually it moved freely by hand and I lubricated both levers with green brake grease hopefully to stop them rusting up again. I did the handbrake shoes today without removing the hubs. I made a special tool from an old 8" long posidriv screwdriver to fit the springs. I cut the pointed tip off the screwdriver and then made a wide saw cut through the recesses in the end to create a four small prongs that are used to push the spring hooks into position. I also used an adjustable pipe grip wrench as a spreader to enable me to fit the adjuster. It was a bit fiddly for the first side developing a technique but the second went back together in a couple of minutes. The new disks are on now. Tomorrow I will make a start on unseizing the right hand brake caliper. I should have used the brake system to pop the pistons before I removed the calipers. Now I will have to reconnect the hoses and hope that I can force the stuck piston out without bleeding the system if I can get away with it. I am going to change the brake fluid anyway so I've got enough new fluid if I have to bleed it. I also have new pistons and seals for both calipers. Hopefully the Voyager will be useable again by the weekend.