Rear brake packs

Two days ago(I think),
I started removing the rear brake packs.
One of the first things I noticed is, they didn't have the same springs,
and one was missing its hand brake hardware.
Both hand brake lines had been cut and ripped out,
though one brake still had the appropriate lever and the cable end attached,
while the other one had neither.

The brake on the driver side with no hand brake stuff had a heaver spring,
and less worn brake shoes.
I suspect those two facts are related.
The one on the passenger side must of taken more of the hydraulic power,
due to less resistance from its weaker spring.

Upon removing the back plate to the brake assembly, I "BORE WITNESS"
to the amazingly beautiful "made in Germany" axle bearing.
Fifty years old, and still like new.

To digress, sometime between what I mention above,
and the last post I have been prepping the frame tunnel for welding.
I am half way done, and will do more on a sunny day.
I am looking forward to doing some welding with this AC stick welder
my grandpa gave me.
Though I am feeling cautious, because I want to do a good job.
:)

Removing rear wheels

Today I took a look at removing the passenger side rear wheel.
I want to look at the brakes, pull the pack apart, and clean everything.
The first thing I noticed was the wheel flange adapters.
Mystery solved, as to why I have a modern 5 bolt pattern in the back. :D
I'm not sure if I'm going to keep these adapters, because they add about an inch of  'poke'.
Though I do want to retail the 5 bolt pattern so... :P

One of the bolts holding the adapter to the drum was a real fucker.
It stripped out on me. :(
In retrospect, I should have shown it some more love right from the beginning.
But I got too exited with my ratchet and cheater pipe,
and no amount of care and attention was able to help me after that.

So I took a different avenue, I can just take the drum off the axle all together,
and fuss with the fasteners later.
It was at this point I noticed there was no cotter pin in the crown nut. :O
I scurried over to the driver side, it was the same, and it was finger tight. XD
Good thing this car was not in driving condition when I got it.
Otherwise I likely would have 'just gone for it'.
And died.

Any hoo, I got the drum off and loosened the four bolts holding the brake package on.
and the rest I will look at another day :)