Bell Crank Replacement

[dphflytyer]

It's about time I took a break from fishing for a day and finally tackle replacing my bell cranks. They are seized solid. I got a good price for new one's so I'm just gonna replace them. After looking at all the info it doesn't look bad for a Saturday job or am I kidding myself? For those of you that have just replaced them about how long do you think it should take to change a side. Also is it necessary to take apart the rear breaks to get at the bolts holding it on or can I take them off by moving some stuff out of the way? hanks everybody.....great info..great site.

 

[Yotacollector]

Make sure u load up the new rear rubber boot with grease. Best thing I did to prevent future seizes.

 

[afg10000]

It's about time I took a break from fishing for a day and finally tackle replacing my bell cranks. They are seized solid. I got a good price for new one's so I'm just gonna replace them. After looking at all the info it doesn't look bad for a Saturday job or am I kidding myself? For those of you that have just replaced them about how long do you think it should take to change a side. Also is it necessary to take apart the rear breaks to get at the bolts holding it on or can I take them off by moving some stuff out of the way? hanks everybody.....great info..great site.

It's not that difficult and shouldn't take too long (famous last words). Just pop the drum off and there is a little cable running horizontally along the bottom of the mess. Disco that from the main assembly and remove the two bolts on the inside of the drum and voila. hopefully the adjustment goes easily afterwords.

 

[TheDurk]

If you need to replace them, NAPA has a nice-looking kit.

NAPA AUTO PARTS

My favorite DIY:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachments/3rd-gen-t4rs/102497d1384491163-bell-cranks-38092d1231601230-sticking-parking-brake-bellcranks-toyota-truck-park-brake-bellcrank-repair.pdf

I think you can get the bolts out if you get tension off the shoes, but this is a really excellent time to do a clean, lube and adjust on the inside guts as well. That's what I did.

 

[jasonoflivingston]

I have mine apart right now. It took me less than 10 minutes to get it out of there. I decided to try to unseize mine. Unfortunately, I must have hit the aluminum bracket with my hammer while getting it freed up. Anyway, I cracked it so it looks like I am in the replacement camp now. It was a long shot anyway since mine was really really seized (can't even drive the pin out of the bracket).

As long as the mounting bolts aren't seized in there, it is a pretty quick job.

 

[dphflytyer]

You guys were spot on. Took about and hour a side and mine were frozen solid. Just kept spraying rust penetrant and hitting them back and forth. They loosened up pretty quick. Once they were working freely I packed the boot with grease, put on new springs and the're good to go. Gotta remember to keep em greased. Not a hard job at all.

 

[nodakker]

quick question on this...are both sides (bell cranks) supposed to be up against the backing plate or just one side?