hand brake question

Liviu · Post by **Liviu** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:59 am

Hi,
1970 M38A1 CDN
I would like to change the hand brake drum I have now, with one of a CJ type .Also change the actuating road from the handle to the lever with a cable.
I have seen it done and it works very well, eliminating the rattle of the original brake drum.
I just do not remember which Cj (5,6 ? )has the improved drum that fits the M38A1.
Thanks,

Liviu

Post by **wesk** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:56 pm

All the civvy CJ's and the M38 parking brake drums (from D18's), backing plates and hardware will work fine. The easiest pull handle setup would be 1965 and up CJ3B dash mounted handle.

Liviu · Post by **Liviu** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:49 am

Hi Wes,
I do not want to attach the cable to the handle on dash board rather to the one I have in between the seats.

Now, can you please tell me if for example I buy a brake drum for a CJ5, how is it different than the one from the M38A1 ? I am trying to understand why the CJ5`s drum brake is not making any noise as compared with the one from the m38a1.
Thanks ,
liviu

Post by **wesk** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:28 pm

I answered your PM on this subject. Did you receive the PM?

The CJ2A, CJ3A, CJ5 (thru 71), CJ3B, CJ6 (thru 71), and M38 all use the same parking brake drum. It's and internal expanding shoe arrangement.

Your M38A1 brake handle is designed to pull straight up which will require a lot of redesigning to make it operate a cable that pulls forward on this type brake.

____________________________________________________________

The M38A1 uses an external shoe and an internal shoe to pinch the hollow small round brake drum.

The rattle problem comes from worn parts. When the holes in parts G, J, LL, and W wear and their associated pins and bolts wear then it is this play that results in the rattle. The cure is new parts, or reaming and inserting bushings in the old parts, or adding a spring to maintain tension on the loose parts. The spring addition helps but also causes accelerated shoe wear. Bottom line it is the nature of the beast to rattle and most owners develope a dead ear to it.

gunner · Post by **gunner** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:09 pm

The M-170 uses a short cable to attach to the parking brake linkage. This might work for you. Additionally, the parking brake handle was mounted backward as compared to the M-38A1. Hope this helps.