Hearse Brake mystery solved

[Ricky Jones]

Aloha
My 62 Cadillac Eureka Hearse has always had poor brakes. Replaced everything and still it just didn't stop well.
I could only get it to stop quick if I
had the emergency brake engaged slightly which you are not supposed to do while driving. Also strange was that my rear shoes just never seem to wear out. We have checked the auto brake adjuster that works when you reverse
and that was OK.

I finally came to the conclusion that the wheel cylinder actuator rods for Commercial Chassis must be longer than ones for sedans and that the previous owner of my Hearse may have replaced them with those shorter ones for sedan.

I called several junk yards and found a place that had a 61 Commercial Chassis and they puled the drum off one side and the guy checked the wheel cylinder actuator rods and he said they were about 1/4" longer than that of sedan.

Problem is that he cold not get the drum off the other side said it was taking too long. So all I can get is two and I need four.

Anyone know of a 1960 to 1962 Commercial Chassis Hearse out there so I could get two more? Help.

Thanks
Ricky

[James Shao]

I don't remember if the brakes were there or not, but there are the remains of a '60 Eureka at Desert Valley Auto Parts in Casa Grande, AZ

[Todd Merrifield]

Seems like if worst came to worst, you could take the ones you have, cut them in half, and have somebody weld in an extra 1/4 inch of rod into the middle. I don't know of anyone that has done that, but I don't know why it wouldn't work. Certainly easier than trying to find a rare part off a rare car.

[Ricky Jones]

Thanks James. Desert Valley Auto Parts guy said he does not recall a Hearse
but said he would check Monday. Said he has 3,000 cars.

Todd, good idea take the rods to machine shop to have them made longer
however my mechanic does not want my big Hearse sitting in his shop
while they machine it. I'll still check with machine shop to see if they can do it in a day.

Hope to find the real ones though. Thank you
Ricky

[Paul Steinberg]

If you have one of the old ones, then you can take it to the machine shop, and have them turn you some new ones that are a 1/4 inch longer. Shouldn't take very long on a lathe. I wouldn't bother with cutting and welding in a 1/4", since it is going to be more effort than making new ones. If the welded one isn't exactly straight, then it might not put even pressure on the shoes.

GROUP 4.675 - LINK Rear Wheel Cylinder to Brake Shoe

[Todd Merrifield]

Same idea, probably a better solution. I guess I was thinking of preserving the special shape of the ends, but probably not that hard to slot one end and round the other. Still easier than getting them off of a crusty 50 year old car.

I'm assuming in all of this that they're not available as a replacement part anymore?

[Paul Steinberg]

I searched the Cadillac parts books that I have, and can't find any cross over to other years, because the books are later printings. Need to have a mid 1960's parts book to find the needed information. I did find that the commercial chassis cars did use a different link than the standard cars. If you have a diameter and length of the needed one, that might make it easier to find. I would think that an good auto parts store should have this item or be able to get one for you.

[Ricky Jones]

They said the 60 Eureka at Desert Valley Auto Parts in Casa Grande, AZ does not have the rear end. Ive called lots of junk yards no 1960 to 1962 Cadillac Hearse or FLower cars. These old Hearses are really not be found any more.


I'll try the machine shop route as suggested to make new one once I get the two the junk yard is sending me.

If anyone knows of Hearse out there in those years let me know I would try to get the whole rear end.
Thanks Ricky

[Darren Bedford]

Ricky

Tom Hoczyk may have a 1962 parts car you can get the rear parts from.

Give him a try. He is in the members list section.

He is a super nice guy and will help you if he can.

Darren

[James Shao]

Any idea if the 1960 75 limos used the same parts?