self adjusting brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DC Thomas · 10-07-2003, 06:33 PM

How well do these self adjusting brakes work on these trucks? While braking hard, initially truck wants to pull right. and harder braking will cause left rear wheel to lock up. I have no leaks and front shoes look good. Haven't pulled rear yet. I tried backing up and hitting brakes several times, and seemed to help. K\Left rear still wants to lock up. Any suggestions? Brakes in general are that great,

motoretro · 10-08-2003, 12:47 AM

As long as the brake hardware is clean, adjusted right and lubricated, they will work as intended. Pull the rear drums and inspect things well. Disasembly is easy with a few good tools intended for brake work. Hardware kits(springs, pins,cups,etc) are cheap as is Brakeclean spray. Do one side at a time so you can run over to the other to check things out. If you have one rear wheel locking up, i would suspect weak return springs or possible leaking wheel cylinder. Also you might be surprised that alot of people install the brake shoes backwards....There is a primary and secondary shoe.

VTKidder · 10-08-2003, 07:30 AM

I've never had good luck with self-adjusting drums before. The whole setup just seems to be good on paper, but worthless on the back of a truck, exposed to salt, dirt, water, etc.

loweredd · 10-08-2003, 10:26 PM

yeah, as soon as the threads on the adjuster get rusted......bye, bye adjustment!

723/4tontank · 10-09-2003, 01:54 AM

I still don't understand why they didn't start putting all wheel disc's a long time ago. they are such a better brake set up. The drums are kind of complicated and a pain to work on. And still don't work that well

SWEET7T · 10-09-2003, 02:08 AM

Maybe one of your brakes isn't adjusting or what was metioned above.

I have all of my brake parts cleaned, and it brakes pretty straight, during a hard brake, it tends to take off to the right a bit, but I don't worry about it.

Also, if your brakes arent adjusting on their own: Check to make sure that the cable and the little arm that sits on the adjuster wheel is in the correct spot. Many times that stuff is in there backwards and it wont work.

DC Thomas · 10-09-2003, 06:49 AM

I appreciate everyone responding. I am going to start further insppection this afternoon. I wonder where I can get a picture of what the set up is suppose to look like?

SWEET7T · 10-09-2003, 10:32 AM

Here is a picture from my Haynes book.

SWEET7T · 10-09-2003, 10:37 AM

Sorry, that wasn't nearly big enough... Lets try this one. Sorry about being so big, but it makes it easier to see.

10-07-2003, 06:33 PM	#1
DC Thomas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: central florida Posts: 116	self adjusting brakes How well do these self adjusting brakes work on these trucks? While braking hard, initially truck wants to pull right. and harder braking will cause left rear wheel to lock up. I have no leaks and front shoes look good. Haven't pulled rear yet. I tried backing up and hitting brakes several times, and seemed to help. K\Left rear still wants to lock up. Any suggestions? Brakes in general are that great,

10-08-2003, 12:47 AM	#2
motoretro Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mid-MI Posts: 110	As long as the brake hardware is clean, adjusted right and lubricated, they will work as intended. Pull the rear drums and inspect things well. Disasembly is easy with a few good tools intended for brake work. Hardware kits(springs, pins,cups,etc) are cheap as is Brakeclean spray. Do one side at a time so you can run over to the other to check things out. If you have one rear wheel locking up, i would suspect weak return springs or possible leaking wheel cylinder. Also you might be surprised that alot of people install the brake shoes backwards....There is a primary and secondary shoe. __________________ motoretro 1972 Chevrolet Custom 10 Lwb www.esivart.com/ebay/truck.gif

10-09-2003, 01:54 AM	#5
723/4tontank One ugly but fast truck Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Everett, Wa Posts: 104	I still don't understand why they didn't start putting all wheel disc's a long time ago. they are such a better brake set up. The drums are kind of complicated and a pain to work on. And still don't work that well __________________ 72 3/4 ton Fleetside. 468/th400. Motors in. Runs great! Will smoke the right rear all day long. Time for body work.

10-09-2003, 02:08 AM	#6
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	Maybe one of your brakes isn't adjusting or what was metioned above. I have all of my brake parts cleaned, and it brakes pretty straight, during a hard brake, it tends to take off to the right a bit, but I don't worry about it. Also, if your brakes arent adjusting on their own: Check to make sure that the cable and the little arm that sits on the adjuster wheel is in the correct spot. Many times that stuff is in there backwards and it wont work. __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

10-09-2003, 06:49 AM	#7
DC Thomas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: central florida Posts: 116	self adjusting brakes I appreciate everyone responding. I am going to start further insppection this afternoon. I wonder where I can get a picture of what the set up is suppose to look like?

10-08-2003, 07:30 AM	#3
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	I've never had good luck with self-adjusting drums before. The whole setup just seems to be good on paper, but worthless on the back of a truck, exposed to salt, dirt, water, etc.

10-08-2003, 10:26 PM	#4
loweredd www.loweredd.com Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Struble IA Posts: 808	yeah, as soon as the threads on the adjuster get rusted......bye, bye adjustment!

10-09-2003, 10:32 AM	#8
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	Here is a picture from my Haynes book. Attached Images __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

10-09-2003, 10:37 AM	#9
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	Sorry, that wasn't nearly big enough... Lets try this one. Sorry about being so big, but it makes it easier to see. __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

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