brake bands

[young tractor]

Hi guys,
I am going to put on new brake bands on my 88. What is the best way to put them on with the rivets? There are no pre-drilled holes in the brake lining. Also do I have to drill the small rivet hole first then use a bigger drill bit to counter sink it so the rivet head doesn't stick up and rub on the brake drum? Or will pounding the rivets in, sink it far enough in so it doesn't rub on the brake drum? Thanks for all of your help.
 

[J. Schwiebert]

Back in the day when linings like that were being installed the dealers had a machine that would drill the hole and countersink the lining. You clamped the lining on the band with a couple pair of Vise grips. You started in the middle and worked toward the ends. FYI for you and I have not done a set in probably 40 years, but not all those bands were alike and in those days there were 2 different lining packages, A one piece woven lining and a 3 piece moulded set and all three pieces were not the same. You do need to countersink them. Oliver used to furnish a set of instructions in each box of linings. I don't know if I have a copy anymore or not. More questions?
 

[young tractor]

Thanks for your help. Also how do I go about getting to the brake seals on that? This has a big nut about 3 1/2 inches across. Do I thread that off and that allows the brake drum to come off. Will this get me at the brake seals? Do I need a special tool for that nut or should I just make one? Thanks again for all of your help.
 

[OliverNate]

gotta bend the lock tabs over so you can turn that nut, I just used a hammer and a chisel, or if you have a piece of square stock that fits in there and turn it with a cressent wrench, then the drum pulls off and there will be a bearing retainer plate held on by 5 studs, pull that all off there will be shims in there as well and the brake seal is in the retainer plate. just gotta watch that the bearing race for the bull pinion doesn't slide out, they're not spose to but can.