Danger - due to the combined effort of working on the Suspension, Steering, and Brakes, this will be a long story.
OK, it is time to get serious about the reliability of the ChevyBaker. When we started the replacement of the transmission (Transmission Swap Project) we discovered the car is pulling to the drivers side under braking.
We took the car to a local tire shop (who provide tires to all of our vehicles) that also does brake work (like they all advertise) and as soon as they removed the rim they stopped. It seems that they are not allowed to work on vehicles with wheel adapters... (per the shop manager)
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Our solution was as follows:
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Sounded simple when it was said outloud. The manager then, very calmly, expressed that his team had limited experience with older cars and they primarily work on disc brakes. That their tools are for more modern applications and while it is not the amount of time it was the lack of experience... OK - Fine.
Going to another shop they put the ChevyBaker on the lift and after a few minutes stated, "We don't think the problem is the brakes!" We were then shown that lateral movement of the tire means that just about every part of the suspension and steering "moves". $%^& It is time to fully address this issue. Here is a quick gallery of the suspect parts:
Granted we did very little work on "some" of these items before but this was just general cleaning and some replacements. Now its time to fully dive in and replace things that are needed.
The conversation with the shop manager when something like this:
Me: "I can buy just about all of this. If I purchase the parts - can you install them?"
Him: "Yes"
Me: "The reason I ask is because some shops will not install parts the customer brings in."
Him: "We wouldn't know where to start so Yes. I don't have a way to quote the cost as Studebaker is not even in our system."
Me: "I would fall over if you could."
We then discussed the hourly rate and did come up with a rough time allotment. Returning home we spent approximately 5 hours looking over the Chassis Catalog which works as follows.
Step 1: Background information needed
50' StudeBakers came in 3 models, Champion, Commander, Land Cruiser. Each model has a designation based on the model year.
For our model and trim level this equates to a 17A W-3 with serial number 4842092. The serial number is actually quite important as some parts changed a bit during the production run.
Step 2: Find the appropriate Plate Illustration. Example:
(click for full size image)
From this we see the "Tie Rod Boot" is number "1207-36"
Step 3: scrolling down to the table of part numbers we find 1207-36.
On the right we see this is common for models 14A to 17A and that we need 4 of them per car. On the left side we see the actual part number is "198388". In the center we see the part's actual name is "OIL SEAL, BALL STUD". Of course this may not be the name used by the vendor.
Step 4: Going to our primary parts vendor (Stephen Allen's) we enter this number into the search field, cross our fingers, and hit the search button. IF the part is found the page(s) containing the number will be displayed. Lastly, from that page the short and long descriptions are used to confirm the part and the price is found. This was done for the following Plates which are specific to the model 17A.
- Plate 12-4, Steering Knuckle Control Arms and King Pins - Model 17A
- Plate 12-5, Steering Knuckle Control Arms Stabilizers
- Plate 12-9, Steering Lingage - Model 17A
- Plate 12-10, Upper and Lower Control Arm Repair Kits
- Plate 11-4, Brake Controls - For Cars with ST. adn OD. - Model 17A
The above steps were performed for a total of 112 parts. From these; 71 parts were ordered ranging from $1 to $195. The parts are being gathered by the vendor with some being requested from their supplier. Basically we are replacing everything possible and cannot thank the guys at Stephen Allen's enough! (Matt and Danny)
The last thing we did was to take the original plate images (above) and draw green and red boxes around the illustration numbers to denote what is and is not available.
Order Placed at MyStudebaker.com
Photos of shop work.
We would like to thank Gustavo for all of his hard work!
Once the steering and brake work was completed it was time to get the final alignment performed. The brake shop, who also installed the steering components, did not have the equipment needed to perform the alignment. They did however reference another shop. We are trying to get the ChevyBaker to this shop now.
The last thing to do was to install a new return spring.
By clicking on the Next button you can see the timeline that unfolded between us, the shop, and the parts vendors.
Conclusion: more to come.
Update 6/28/24:
Tie rods are on a slight back order and are due next week. We agreed to hold the shipping until everything is in.
Update 7/3/24:
In an email discussion yesterday it was relayed that the tie rod supplier sand blasted and painted the tie rods. Sounds great. In doing this they left a lot of sand embedded in the tie rod end joints. Not great. The ends were removed by Stephen Allen's (AKA Mystudebaker.com) and replaced with NOS components. Great service... The order has shipped and only has to travel across the entire conntry! ETA is 7/10/24.
Update 7/12/24:
Parts are in and sorted by Left and Right side where possible. All parts are tagged by description, part number, and shop catelog page number. Lastly we spoke to the shop today and showed them the shop manual and parts catelog page illustrations. (exploded views). We will be taking the ChevyBaker in tomorrow morning.
Update 7/13/24:
Took the ChevyBaker into the shop and arrived 5 minutes before they closed for lunch. 
We left the car in the parking lot and returned at 1:00. Had a quick talk with the mechanic and then discovered that when the dashcams are left running for over an hour it has a negative effect on the battery. 
With a quick charging it started right up and we drove it into bay number 1.
Update 7/17/24:
The shop called the night before and stated there was a problem with one of the parts. Arriving at 8am we found the part was a seal made from cork. Granted it was in the original box AND was 75 years old. Taking the failed part (see image in the above gallery) O-rings were sourced within the hour. Stopping in at the end of the day we find the drivers side is completed.
Update 7/23/24:
We checked in with a visit to the shop today. The upper and lower A-arms have been completed along with the reach rod. The front end needs an alignment and the brakes STILL pull to the left. We took the spare brake shoes to the shop to see if replacing them will help correct the problem. The soft brake lines have yet to be replaced so there is the hope that it is a soft right brake giving the opposite side more drag.
Update 7/25/24:
Soooo, the shop called and said while the work was not complete they have done everything possible with the parts they have in hand. The alignment is "eyed in" but they gave a recommendatioin to a shop that will be able to perform the alignment. The brakes need new shoes, more on this next, so they did not waste the time/money to replace the brake lines. Replaceing the lines will required manually bleeding the brakes which will also need done with the shoe replacement??? We have already sourced a company to reline the shoes which will go out tomorrow. Once returned we will take the ChevyBaker back with the new shoes to complete the brake work.
Update 7/26/24:
The spare brake shoes were sent to Brake Materials and Parts for relining. Per their quote response they are backlogged ~2 weeks.
Update 7/31/24:
USPS tracking shows the package was delivered at the front desk 9:23 am.
Update 8/5/24:
Called Brake Materials and Parts to ensure they have the package and if they needed anything from us. They reported the parts have already been worked on and are "in the oven now." Tomorrow they hope to paint the brake shoe bodies and ship...
Update 8/6/24:
Brake Materials and Parts called for invoicing information bacause the brake shoes have been relined, cleaned, painted, and are READY TO SHIP back. :) ETA from UPS was 6 days.
Update 8/11/24:
Brake shoes scheduled for delivery on 8/12/24. Met with the shop and they will be ready to take the car on 8/13/24 when they open at 08:00. We will provide them with the following items:
- Relined shoes (They look great)
- New brake hoses (front left and right, single rear - upstream of the left/right tee)
- New master cylinder (if needed - great insurance - foreshadowing anyone‽)
- New master cylinder crush washer
Update 8/13/24:
(4pm) The shop called so say that one of the wheel cylinders is not retracting as it should and needs to be replaced. These, of course, are not something one can by at a local auto store. We explained that we will place this order first thing in the morning. This may, just maybe, could have been the reason we took the car into the brake shop to begin with...
Update 8/14/24:
(6am, 9am to the vendor) As tradition has it we ordered a LOT more than the single wheel cylinder as a type of insurance. If any of the springs, retainers, or anything that is not a washer should need to be replaced we have one. We also ordered not only an additional front cylinder but a rear wheel (yes they just had to be different) as well. We opted for next day air delivery and the parts will be in tomorrow by noon.
(11am) We called the shop to say the parts where ordered and when they are expected. The manager said he was just about to call us and then explained that the mechanic states the master cylinder is leaking and will need to be replaced. Our response was, "There is a new master cylinder in the front seat - still in the box - labeled Master Cylinder". We ordered this a while ago for just such an event.
Update 8/15/24:
(11am) The parts where delivered to the shop.
(3pm) Picked up the brake shoes that were replaced and shipped them off to be relined. Will repurpose these to replace the rear shoes.
Update 8/16/24:
Picked up the car and tipped the mechanic. Now we can return to the transmission shop to get the 200R4 fixed. We will be back to the brake shop next month when the 2nd round of relined brake shoes returns.
Sidenote: When we called the shop to ask about picking up the car they reported that the starting is not getting power. We initially thought they left the door open for 2 days and asked the to put it on the charger and we will be there later in the day. On arrival we casually pulled out the starter relay kill switch and started it right up.
Update 8/19/24:
The second set of brake shoes arrived at Brake Materials and Parts for relining.
Update 9/15/24:
The second set of brake shoes arrived from Brake Materials and Parts. Now need to schedule installation.
Update 9/16/24:
We checked in with the brake shop and have scheduled for the relined shoes to be used for the rear axle on 9/20/24. We will drop off the ChevyBaker at 8am.
Update 9/16/24:
We arrived at the shop and checked in at the desk to only here, "Oh did we say today?" Turns out they have an technician out today and while the guy who works on our brakes IS there he will be busy. New ETA is Tuesday 9/24/24 but we will call them in advance next time.
Update 9/24/24:
We dropped off the car at the shop first thing in the morning.
Update 9/25/24:
We recieved a call from the shop stating they used the spare wheel cylinder and need another for the passanger side. (there is less then 700 miles on the current set) Because we MUST get the car back to the transmission shop on 9/27/24 we asked them to complete the drivers side and bleed the brakes. We have ordered a replacement cylinder, to expadite the work) and 2 repair kits for for the front and rear cylinders (future proofing). Once the parts are recieved we will reschedule the passenger side and once again bleed the brake system. (its only money right?)
Update 10/03/24:
We recieved the shipment of brake parts and need to schedule the installation and hopefully last bleeding of the brakes and wallet!
Update 11/01/24:
We dropped off the ChevyBaker as the bay doors were being opened. Upon picking it up it was pointed out that the return spring should be replaced. This was ordered and install by us on the 8th.
Update 11/02/24:
We called the shop recommended for the alignment and they are looking up information related to the year/make. Later in the day we spoke with the shop and they will not be able to assist. We were advised to make any changes to the suspension that are needed before getting the alignment as this will change the geometry. The search will, for now, shift to getting the rear leaf springs and front coils replaced...