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Rear drum brake problem (all new parts)

jonrpick

jonrpick

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My driver's side rear brake drum is pretty tough to get on and off, and it drags.

The adjuster is all the way in. It's visibly more expanded than the passenger side.

The only thing I noticed is this... the parking brake strut (the metal bar between the two shoes) is the SAME exact part for both sides. There's a bent up lip on it, and because the two ends of the strut are different, I installed it facing the same direction on both wheels.

That means that the "lip" is bent upward on one side, and down on the other.

I hope that makes sense. This is driving me nuts...

Also, the rubber hose that leads down to the "T" fitting on the axle... that hose's connection is stuck in place. I previously cut off the bottom half of that hose, so there's no reusing it. I've PB Blasted the fitting, and so I'm waiting...

I need these issues fixes ASAP! :eek1::eek1::eek1:

TIA for any advice...
 
have you tried a rubber mallet tapping the shoes to contract the wheel cylinder?
 
Hate to say it, but if the star adjuster looks different on one side than the other, then the hardware ain't put together right.

I always do one side, then the other on drums for this very reason ... fiddly bloody levers and such.

I know you've got a serious deadline so you don't have that luxury, but if one side went together right, check REALLY carefully the position of all those levers and springs.

As for the strut, it's been a while ... if you have time/ability, maybe post up a pic and it'll jog my memory. Easier to point to a pic anyway than trying to describe parts, especially when they're complicated bloody convoluted Goldberg machines.

Have I mentioned my distaste for drum brakes? :haha:

-- A
 
dremu said:
Hate to say it, but if the star adjuster looks different on one side than the other, then the hardware ain't put together right.

I always do one side, then the other on drums for this very reason ... fiddly bloody levers and such.

I know you've got a serious deadline so you don't have that luxury, but if one side went together right, check REALLY carefully the position of all those levers and springs.

As for the strut, it's been a while ... if you have time/ability, maybe post up a pic and it'll jog my memory. Easier to point to a pic anyway than trying to describe parts, especially when they're complicated bloody convoluted Goldberg machines.

Have I mentioned my distaste for drum brakes? :haha:

-- A
Click to expand...

I re-read what I wrote... the star adjuster is fine. The SHOES are visibly expanded moreso on that one side.

The parking brake struts...I'll post a pic when I find the camera. :doah:
 
I THINK I know what you are referring to.............

Look at your brake shoes. There is a slot that corresponds with the slot in the parking brake lever. I bet the strut is not seated all the way in those 2 slots. I think on one end of that strut, that the groove is wider to accomodate both slots.
 
3 on the tree said:
I THINK I know what you are referring to.............

Look at your brake shoes. There is a slot that corresponds with the slot in the parking brake lever. I bet the strut is not seated all the way in those 2 slots. I think on one end of that strut, that the groove is wider to accomodate both slots.
Click to expand...

I'll check that. Makes sense. Since the part is identical to both sides, it does make sense that one side is keyed for the rear shoe and the other side being for the front shoe.
 
And just for the heck of saying it, you do have the brake shoes on the right sides and the right position, right?

(only mention that because the PO of my 14SF put the rears both on one side, and the fronts on the other side, grinding the heck out of the brake hardware to make everything fit)
 
dyeager535 said:
And just for the heck of saying it, you do have the brake shoes on the right sides and the right position, right?

(only mention that because the PO of my 14SF put the rears both on one side, and the fronts on the other side, grinding the heck out of the brake hardware to make everything fit)
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's got one of each on each side, and the orientation is the same on both.

Mudstud said:
Is the adjuster all the way in? Do you have a huge freakin lip around the edge of your drum from wear?
Click to expand...

Adjuster all the way in... Lip, yes. But aside from the drum, backing plate and parking brake strut, this is all 100% new hardware.
 
The spring kit for both sides is the same, however the adjuster and parking brake strut should be different for L and R sides. You may have to replace the wheel cylinder if it is hanging up and not returning. Also the return springs may have lost their ability to pull the shoes back in.
While you are there check the emergency brake cable on that side, it could be sticking and not fully releasing the brake. With the drums off, have someone apply the e - brake and release it several times. Are both cables moving the same distance?
 
Mike D said:
The spring kit for both sides is the same, however the adjuster and parking brake strut should be different for L and R sides. You may have to replace the wheel cylinder if it is hanging up and not returning. Also the return springs may have lost their ability to pull the shoes back in.
While you are there check the emergency brake cable on that side, it could be sticking and not fully releasing the brake. With the drums off, have someone apply the e - brake and release it several times. Are both cables moving the same distance?
Click to expand...

The parking brake struts are the only internal parts reused from the original brake system. The wheel cylinder can't return because they've never gone anywhere. NO fluid has been in them yet. I'm in the process of setting them up, and the one drum is much tighter.

The e-brake setup isn't right... only the passenger side (the non-offending side) works...
 
You say the cylinders are new, but did you apply any brake fluid to them to help them slide? If not, the cylinder may be hanging up inside from friction, and preventing the shoes from being retracted all the way. Remember the fluid is more than just the pressure it applies to the caps, it is also the lubricant for the cylinders to keep them sliding smoothly.

If it isn't that, then I am at a loss to help you.
 
lectric80 said:
You say the cylinders are new, but did you apply any brake fluid to them to help them slide? If not, the cylinder may be hanging up inside from friction, and preventing the shoes from being retracted all the way. Remember the fluid is more than just the pressure it applies to the caps, it is also the lubricant for the cylinders to keep them sliding smoothly.

If it isn't that, then I am at a loss to help you.
Click to expand...

Hmm... I'll try that.
 
Have you recently lifted the truck? Maybe when you flex it some the droop of the axle pulls the e brake cable and is putting a little drag in the shoes. Try discoing the e-brake cable all together to rule it out.
 
Mudstud said:
Have you recently lifted the truck? Maybe when you flex it some the droop of the axle pulls the e brake cable and is putting a little drag in the shoes. Try discoing the e-brake cable all together to rule it out.
Click to expand...

No lift involved...
 
Dafey said:
Any news?
Click to expand...

We moved the truck to the new house yesterday on a trailer. Many thanks to Jim (bigjbear) for the use of his trailer and his personal efforts to help load and move it. :bow:

I'll get back to it in a couple of days after the dust settles from the move. Updates to follow.
 
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