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Rear inner Dust Cap Removal strategy [message #308640] Wed, 12 October 2016 17:16 Go to next message
John Heslinga   Canada
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Over the years I remember someone posting how to modify the rear inner dust caps so they can easily be removed with a tool of some sort.
I seem to remember it was welding a nut to the cap that will allow a bolt to be inserted and then pulled.

I'm having difficulty finding the post and/ or the details of that modification.

Anyone know where I can find the post?
Or know through details and can describe them to me.

Thanks all!


John and Cathie Heslinga 1974 Canyonlands 260 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS, Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd. Edmonton, Alberta
Re: Rear inner Dust Cap Removal strategy [message #308650 is a reply to message #308640] Wed, 12 October 2016 19:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMC Cruse is currently offline  GMC Cruse   United States
Messages: 606
Registered: June 2009
Location: SE Michigan
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Senior Member
A search found this:

Smitty52 wrote on Mon, 06 September 2010 13:40
>> Trying to ascertain the condition of my rear brake shoes

>> Outer cap is off but how does the inner cap come out. The manual says "remove inner cap" that helps a lot!!
>
>
> Search on the GMC forum for inner brake dust cap --
> Results show using a bent screwdriver or a paint can opener.


And once you have them off, since you're going to be doing
this a number of times in the future, have your local guy
with a brazing torch or a welding wand tack on a 3/8"-20 nut
to the center of each cap. Then any old 3/8"-20 bolt and a
pair of channel locks will be the tool du jour. I've found
that a bent screwdriver or paint can opener are harder to
find in my tool cabinet than a bolt and channel locks. Or
you could use a small slide hammer.

It works great and minimizes the quantity of blood you have
clean up after the bent screwdriver or paint can opener
slips and your hand loses the debate with the hard and sharp
metal objects surrounding the work area.



Toby Maki
'73 Glacier 230
Riverside, CA


Mike K. '75 PB Southeast Michigan
Re: Rear inner Dust Cap Removal strategy [message #308660 is a reply to message #308640] Wed, 12 October 2016 23:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
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Senior Member
Mine were gouged and dented from previous chicanery before I bought the coach, so removing without destruction was not an option. However, the proper size new caps are available at Advance and NAPA. I don't have the part number handy right now, but if you can't find it I will dig into the past. Still doesn't make removal easier, but at least they are not made of unobtanium.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: Rear inner Dust Cap Removal strategy [message #308670 is a reply to message #308640] Thu, 13 October 2016 09:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John Heslinga   Canada
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Thank You ALL!!

Braze a 3/8" nut to the dust cap.

Yes: My dust caps are all badly damaged from the multiple attempts to remove them in many unsuccessful ways. The worst part is I have a marvelous tool for removing dust caps but it won't go into the recess!!

I purchased new caps (2.5 inch from the Dorman HELP line of products.(part number 13974) They are not the dome type that is original but the bell shape found on a lot of Fords. (Seems to be the only ones I can get for 2.5 inch. Expensive buggers though. ($10.50 plus tax canadian) The top is flat and that would make a good place to braze the nuts on. I have not installed them yet nor confirmed their fit but I suspect there will be no problem.
Here is what the cap looks like. (Check out the total cost including shipping if I bought it from our Amazon.ca😣
https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-Help-13974-Dust-Ford/dp/B000COCQ8S

Here are the numbers I got from GMCMHParts.com They helped me find what I needed.

Auto zone 13974 HELP # 2.5 inch FORD
Dorman 618-504
Ford C8TZ-1131-C 68 to 05 ford
GM 15680212
GM 700226
GMC 3936465
NAPA Balkamp NOE 733-1404


John and Cathie Heslinga 1974 Canyonlands 260 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS, Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd. Edmonton, Alberta

[Updated on: Fri, 14 October 2016 08:55]

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Re: Rear inner Dust Cap Removal strategy [message #308672 is a reply to message #308640] Thu, 13 October 2016 09:37 Go to previous message
John Heslinga   Canada
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
Senior Member
SORRY the link to the cap image and Amazon.ca was incomplete.

This should be better.

https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-Help-13974-Dust-Ford/dp/B000COCQ8S


John and Cathie Heslinga 1974 Canyonlands 260 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS, Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd. Edmonton, Alberta
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