[TR] I'm Back!! TR2 Rear Oil Seal and Brake Drum Removal Issues

[auprichard at uprichard.net]

I had a small chip in a drum and was told it wasn’t an issue.  I guess it depends on the size.  If this was a car you intended to race, you’d probably be getting rid of the Lockheed axle anyway.  The Lockheed rear ends may be good for authenticity, but there was a reason the later cars used Girling.

 

I put new seals on my (Lockheed) axle and they do not leak.

 

Second what Bill B. said about removing the drum.

 

No idea about re-using the shoes – sorry !

 

Andrew Uprichard
Jackson, Michigan

 

From: Triumphs <triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of David Gunn
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2021 3:43 PM
To: triumphs at autox.team.net
Subject: [TR] I'm Back!! TR2 Rear Oil Seal and Brake Drum Removal Issues

 

Hi - After about a 10 year hiatus due to health issues, I'm back on the list.  It is good to see that this list is still going strong, and was in awe that the Dot 3 v. Dot 5 controversy still exists.    <https://s.yimg.com/nq/yemoji_assets/latest/yemoji_assets/1f600.png> 

 

I have a 1954 TR2 longdoor, TS3388L.  I rebuilt every system (brakes, electrical, fuel, cooling) 10-15 years ago.  I did not have to open up the engine, transmission or rear end, as they seemed to be working just fine.  It is close to original; although it does have a TR3 engine and disc brakes on the front (I didn't do it).  Everything from the transmission back is original.

 

When I parked it, I, unfortunately, did nothing.  So, I know that I will need to redo and rebuild all of the various systems.  I am hoping that I do not have to remove the gas tank again, as I parked it with a full tank of gas.  At some point, I put Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders.

 

I drove it many miles all over northern California.  My last drive was up to Lassen Park.  It ran fine; although it developed a leak in one of the rear wheel seals.  I replaced both seals, and then both leaked (par normal for me).  At that point, it was parked.

 

Now, I am back to it.  I am starting with the seals.  Someone suggested that driving it with the original (?) seals caused a scaring on the axle and that I needed to put a sleeve on the axle to ensure a good seal. Does that make any sense?  Is this something that I can do, or do I need to take the axles in to a machine shop?

 

The right rear brake drum came off with minimal effort.  I have not been able to get the left brake drum off.  It has the original 9" drums.  I have lightly tapped all the way around, to no avail.  (BTW, I did remove the 2 set screws, and was able to back off the shoes, so it spins relatively freely.)  I did knock a chip off the drum.  I hope that doesn't affect the balance of that wheel?  I have liberally sprayed penetrating oil in every crevice I could find.  I have not been back out to the shop since applying the penetrating oil, due to the poor AQI and heavy smoke from the wildfires in northern California.  

 

One more question:  I have 2 sets of near new brake shoes, but they were soaked with oil.  Somewhere I heard that burying them in a tub of kitty litter would draw out the oil.  Is this correct?  An old wives tale?

 

So, any advice from the combined wisdom of this group is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

 

David

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