Appreciate the advice on the brake lines. I'll get a double flare tool. I think I might have inherited one from my dad. I'll dig through the basement to see, before purchasing one.
Went to NAPA this morning and picked up seals, inner and outer bearings and races (one bearing set includes new races in the box).
Also finally broke down and picked up a slide hammer. I've been in many situations in the past where I wish I had one. It made getting those seals out pretty easy.
The old inner bearing. Pitted pretty badly.
After getting the inner bearings out, I cleaned up the drums. The race for the inner bearings were in excellent shape, so I left those alone.
I then attempted to remove the retaining ring that holds the outer bearing in place. After trying various tools, I finally gave up and decided just to clean and repack them as best I could.
Next I installed the new inner bearings and seals
Put everything back together and bleed the rear brakes.
After that I put the wheels back on and decided to put the truck straight to work!
I'm digging them white rims!
No more surprises busting ball joints going over rough terrain.
Nothing broke or blew up, but the brakes still suck. I think there is still air in the lines. Pedal is very spongy and I still don't think I'm getting much if any action from the rear brakes. I did pull those self-adjusters off and lubed them and reinstalled. I also adjusted them out as far as I could where the drums would just barely slide back on.
I might try the manual bleed method with a friend instead of the suction device as well. After hauling some more loads, I'll pull the axles again, and check the torque on the axle nuts.
