Rear end rework fnar fnar. Following a broken rear leaf I am overhauling a bit of stuff in and around the rear axle, springs, axle seals, shocks, fuel tank, brakes. On the subject of the brakes.

The old brake cylinders had grooves to hold the brake shoes, like this


The new ones however are flat. Like this


Have any of you lot seen the flat type before? I would think they are ok. What do you wise lot think? Will I be ok to proceed or should I track down some different ones?

Odd, never seen one without the grooves. The body looks a bit weird too. Personally i'd get some new ones of the original type. Those groves do aid the brake shoes location.

Personally I wouldn't be happy using that flat-ended type. They're only pennies so I'd be getting the proper jobbies.

It is weird. I think the pads should be well enough constrained so they don't fall off, but as you say they are pretty cheap. The picture might be a bit funny because the body looks alright and should fit ok. I have a bit of time to think as the back plates are currently in a bath of rust eater and will need painted before I proceed.

Bit of an update, it's getting a bit more serious so thought I would take a few pictures. I have decided to proceed with the weird cylinders and see how they go. Although I did order some normal ones too.

I am waiting for stainless steel bleed nipples so in the meantime I have cleaned and painted things. Everything I paint is standard wheel trim silver as I buy big job lots of it.


But then I decided to investigate some rusty streaks


Arse.


So I got out the angle grinder. Doesn't seem all that long ago I welded up holes there previously.


Then I found some more rusty bits in the boot


So I continued cutting



And that's all for now. There are similar holes on the other side too. Need to cut it out a bit more neatly so I can get some nice repair bits in. What alarms me is how little waxoyl is in the chassis legs. I thought I was quite thorough with my applications. Oh well, it is what it is.

A broken leaf spring has turned in to quite a job.

Seems like it was 5 years ago to almost the day that I last welded the rear of the car. Time flys... let's see if my welding is any better! lol!


https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/187295-rusty-rear-cross-member.html

Things are progressing. Welding is completed and painted. Spent the last week cleaning, treating and sealing the petrol tank (It could be a disaster but that's another story)

Anyway the purpose of my post, a question.

What should I use to seal the diff cover plate (rear 4x4)?

I took mine off as it had been weeping a little, (I suspect like the axle seal because the breather had seized up). My options in my shed are either Hylomar instant gasket, silcon (which I think was there before), or I cut my own from some gasket material I have lying around. I wouldn't of suggested silcon but I guess it's been doing a good job for the last 10+ years, possibly even from the factory.

I would be happy with Hylomar, used to use it all the time on my Vauxhalls :thumbup:

Paper gasket and Hylomar for me.