96 K1500 rear drum help please!

[Russell]

Does anyone here have a K1500 with the 10 bolt rear diff with 6 lugs? I just pulled mine apart to replace a stripped out e-brake cable with the tensioner, and found that both sides have the springs different, and neither side is set up in a way that'll make the brakes work properly, lol

I always thought the brakes in my truck were kinda sucky, guess I know why now

If someone does happen to have a newer truck, and doesn't mind checking on their brakes for me, could you possibly grab a pic of how the springs are suppost to be installed?

 

[daleearnhardt01]

I can get you a a picture tomorrow if thats cool? I have to weld up a broken exhaust hanger so pulling a tire on that side will be nice actually....

Mine dont work so hot either but hopefully the pics will help you as long as I dont have the same thing going on in there haha

 

[Russell]

I figured out the main springs on the top and bottom easy enough, its the tensioner that is strange, it wants to fall off the star wheel all the time. That, and the star wheel has no access for adjustment!

If you could get pics, that'd be awesome, but I'm gonna see if I can find something online yet...

 

[sled_dog]

there is a knockout in the back you have to punch or pull out for adjustment. There is a spring that is suppossed to go parellel to the adjuster that keeps tension on it so it doesn't fall out. Thats all the advice I can offer.

 

[Russell]

Well, I think I understand how the tensioner is suppost to work, unfortunately, it doesn't, lol

Its suppost to sit behind the star wheel's forks, and be held against with a spring that runs down to the shoe, but it is almost like the hole for it is a bit too far down, so it just slips out from behind the fork, then falls down onto the axle, keeping it from doing any adjusting at all.

I think I may wind up drilling a new hole for it, and seeing if I can make it work properly tommorow morning.

 

[sled_dog]

I think I may wind up drilling a new hole for it, and seeing if I can make it work properly tommorow morning.

well that just sounds like a terrible idea. Obviouslly something is WRONG, drilling random holes to "fix it" isn't a good idea. Figure out whats wrong and why, and fix the problem, not band aid.

 

[southernspeed]

I can't remember if these were from my 10 or 12 bolt but may help.

 

[Russell]

Thats the second style of drums that were available -- the type I wish I had, lol

Drilling the new hole won't affect the drum's geometry any, just the position of the adjusting wheel's lock. It'll either make it work, or it will continue to not work the way it is now, so I don't particularly feel like I am taking a risk with my life in doing so.