After getting some great advice from this very page I am almost done rebuilding the suspension in my 68SS, just one more snag however. How do you get a wrench on the front brake (drum) bleeder screws. I tried an offset box wrench with no luck, sockets don't seem to fit either- any tricks. I am so close to getting it back on the road, I can't wait!

What size wrench/socket are you using? Over the years they tend to wear down. Be very careful, as they will break fairly easy. If you get it out, and you screw it up, go get a new bleeder valve.
On older (inactive) cars they tend to rust shut. I got lucky on mine, and bled all four without breaking one. If you break it off don't panic, run down to your nearest part store and get a new wheel cylinder. (They are cheap too) You needed one anyway. You'll have to take off your brake shoes, just leave one side together for reference.

One more thing, turn your wheel all the way to the right (or) left. Should be easier to get to.

Boy, been there done that. I had the same problem and it is a bear to get past that steering knuckle. I tried everything. The best thing that works is if you can put a double bend into a box end wrench so that the box fits over the bleeder and then also clears the back side of the brake plate. But I broke a wrench (good Craftsman) doing this. Finally succeeded with a 1/4" drive socket and a universal. Once the bleeder is off, replace it and put a TINY bit of anti-seize on the threads for future removal. I think the best tool would be one of those off-set wrenches with the double bend in it, but the amount of straight length in the bend is never enough. I plan to fabricate my own out of my broken box end and some scrap steel, welding the contraption together at work.

Eddie,
They make special wrenches for this job with the "double bend" in them that everyone else is talking about. They are not very expensive unless you buy Snap On. Your local parts store should have them. They are well worth the money.

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

[This message has been edited by BillK (edited 01-10-99).]