Brake drum assembly question.
 

It's like everyday I need to ask ya'll something!

I tore down the driver's side (rear) drum and brake assembly, used my dremel tool's wire wheel to clean off all the rust (a lot of it) but the little geared wheel on my adjuster/pivot nut WILL NOT TURN. The Haynes book I bought suggested replacing it. Naturally Advance Auto has never heard of it for that year (rather like the radiator you guys suggested and I bought from them).

Anyone have an Advance Auto part number for me? Should I just soak this thing in something?

Here's a pic, if I get it to work.

(Oh yes, I wore a mask and goggles for the brake cleaning)

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4828e6a8.jpg

Oh, and I could not for the life of me disconnect the parking brake from the actuator so I just cleaned the actuator as it hung there. Is that normal?

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Can't speak for Advance, but I know both Napa and Autozone carry them. They are left and right specific.

I prefer to replace them, as they will lock up again pretty quickly once they have some corrosion in them.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

here is how I buy them with the kit:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...6_150010_2362_

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Thanks man! I just called NAPA and they're going to order both adjuster assemblies and set both sets of spring kits aside for me.

My springs were still serviceable I'm sure but they were pretty rusty.

I think my shoes looked pretty good....but seeing as I've never seen a set of brake shoes before I am not be the best judge! :lol:

Now if I can just get everything back together!

Would it be a good idea to go ahead and flush out the old brake fluid? If so, what is a good 1-man kit to do that with?

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Here you go...

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

I have a MityVac that works well. Got that at Harbor Freight, but seen them other places too. Definitely a good idea to swap out the fluid, it can get water in it over time.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Nice kit, great advice

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

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Here's a trick for removing the park brake cable from the backing plate. Use a small hose clamp, open it up, slide it over the cable and over the little tangs where the cable comes thru the plate. Tighten it enough to collapse the tangs and the cable slides right out.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

The wide gear looking bit in the pic is the star wheel. I'd leave the whole thing in oil/atf or something (not WD40) overnight and it will free up.

BTW, the purpose of that thing is the autoadjuster so when you back up and stop, it adjusts the shoe out if needed to keep the brake pedal high.

Or at least that's how I think it works. If I'm full of crap, I'd appreciate being set straight. Truth trumps pride (or whatever)? :)

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

You're only half full. Your eyes are brown up to mid level. LOL!!
THe star wheels purpose is primarily to provide a way to adjust the brake shoes from outside the drum thru the access hole in the drum or backing plate.
Second it provides a handy place that the self adjuster arm can contact to keep the shoes adjusted close to the drum.
You can remove the self adjuster but you'll need to manually adjust your brakes to keep the shoes close to the drum.
Some of the first cars I worked on had no self adjusters. Once a month you got out your trusty brake tool (screwdriver) and took out the slack.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Here is some advice...... AVOID ADVANCE AUTO PARTS!!! go to napa... i bought 6 brake kits 2 hardware and 4 self adjuster kits for 74 bux... advance like you said never heard of them... luckily i have a small family owned napa near my house even bring them coffee sometimes haha

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Here's a bit of advice for what it's worth.When you get those adjusters freed u and cleaned.Assemble them with anti sieze on the threads only.They should stay free and easy to turn for a long time.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

I buy quite a bit from Advance Auto. Most of the time I order online and pick up in the store. Generally, if you spend $25 or $30 there is a promo code out there (Google Advance Auto promo code) that can save you some serious money. If you spend $75 and they don't have it in stock, they will ship for fee.

I have two Advance, two O'Reilly's, two NAPA and a CarQuest distribution center with an attached store within 10 minutes of my house. For the reasons stated above, Advance is my first choice.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

I use Advance a lot as well, mostly because its the closest to me. I have Napa, Advance, Auto Zone, and Pep Boys to choose from. A lot of the stuff they sell is the same everywhere.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Too bad he has the primary (shorter shoe toward the front of the truck) and secondary shoe (goes to the rear) confused.

Also I don't see the lube for the backing plate .

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

If you have a better write up and pictures feel free to share :lol:

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

I think it's good he has the short in front and the long in back because that's the way it is supposed to be.
Lube on the shoe rests is optional. Some do, some don't.

Re: Brake drum assembly question.
 

Yes, Yes, Yes!
Short lining - FRONT
Long lining - REAR