Drum Brakes Suck!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

red71cheyenne · 04-03-2006, 11:49 AM

Wow, I got my A55 handed to me this weekend by one of the rear drums. Finally just had to rip it off by hand. Turned out the shoe had separated inside the drum and was stuck holding the drum on. The only reason I even messed with it, was the wheel cylinder was leaking. Finally got it off and replaced everything inside. Anyone replaced the drums with new ones? I'm thinking they look kind of puny for rear brakes.

bouncytruck · 04-03-2006, 01:18 PM

Do a disc brake swap all around... most of your braking power is upfront anyway.

Scrubby · 04-03-2006, 01:34 PM

What are guys doing for disc in the back? Any good kits? My drums work ok, but when I swapped in the 3:73 axles, I cleaned an rebuilt the all the workings in the drums.

red71cheyenne · 04-03-2006, 02:43 PM

Bouncy, I will eventually go to discs all the way around, but for right now, budget demands staying with what I got. I just got to get the Blazer on the road and driveable first. Then maybe I'll budget for upgrades. hehe.

Scrubby, Blackbird Customs out of Spokane seems to have some really decent prices for conversions. One of them is a boardmember(drinks2many). Check out their website. I think thats who I'm going to go with when I finally upgrade. Jeff.

Jason915 · 04-03-2006, 07:27 PM

What I am going to do is go with the 73 and newer K5/K10 rear backing plates and the wider rear drum set up, that combined with a K/20 brake booster and the front disc brake conversion will make a huge difference in stopping power.

jakeslim · 04-03-2006, 10:12 PM

i changed all four drums and shoes out last fall. New drums made a huge difference. In fact, I barely have to push on the pedal to slow down and stop. I plan on keeping drums all around my 69 to keep it stock. I think that will make a difference in value in a few years.

Jason915 · 04-04-2006, 02:37 PM

you may be able to bleed the front brake by opening where the brake line goes to the wheel cylinder if the bleeder valve is rounded too bad to get a grip on it. Just have some one pump it up then while they are holding the pedal loosen the brake line until the pedal goes down you might get all of the air out that way.

red71cheyenne · 04-04-2006, 03:18 PM

I'll give that a try and let you guys know how it works. Thanks, Jeff.

red71cheyenne · 04-05-2006, 11:13 AM

Well, pulled the driver side front wheel last night and inspected the brakes. They are like new! Got the bleeder loose as well, so bled the fronts and now I have good pedal. Thanks to all for the help. Jeff.

Jason915 · 04-05-2006, 04:53 PM

Glad to hear it

**special-K** · 04-06-2006, 10:39 AM

Drum brakes are ok.Routine maintainence would prevent the problem you have.All you have to do is when you rotate your tires,slide the rear drums off and take a peak.the shoes don`t wear much between rotations.

red71cheyenne · 04-06-2006, 11:53 AM

Routine is the word. Of course, it didn't help that my Blazer had been sitting for 25 years! I think once I have them working as designed, they will be fine.

04-03-2006, 11:49 AM	#1
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Wow, I got my A55 handed to me this weekend by one of the rear drums. Finally just had to rip it off by hand. Turned out the shoe had separated inside the drum and was stuck holding the drum on. The only reason I even messed with it, was the wheel cylinder was leaking. Finally got it off and replaced everything inside. Anyone replaced the drums with new ones? I'm thinking they look kind of puny for rear brakes. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

04-03-2006, 01:18 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Do a disc brake swap all around... most of your braking power is upfront anyway. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

04-03-2006, 01:34 PM	#3
Scrubby Check out GMTrucks.org Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 284	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! What are guys doing for disc in the back? Any good kits? My drums work ok, but when I swapped in the 3:73 axles, I cleaned an rebuilt the all the workings in the drums.

04-03-2006, 02:43 PM	#4
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Bouncy, I will eventually go to discs all the way around, but for right now, budget demands staying with what I got. I just got to get the Blazer on the road and driveable first. Then maybe I'll budget for upgrades. hehe. Scrubby, Blackbird Customs out of Spokane seems to have some really decent prices for conversions. One of them is a boardmember(drinks2many). Check out their website. I think thats who I'm going to go with when I finally upgrade. Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

04-03-2006, 07:27 PM	#5
Jason915 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 693	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! What I am going to do is go with the 73 and newer K5/K10 rear backing plates and the wider rear drum set up, that combined with a K/20 brake booster and the front disc brake conversion will make a huge difference in stopping power. __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 SWB Fleetside, 4" skyjacker softride and, 14 Bolt FF, HD Dana 44 4.10's 1970 K5 TBI conversion lifted etc SOLD 1968 C20 camper truck SOLD “To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless.” Jeff Snyder

04-03-2006, 10:12 PM	#6
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! i changed all four drums and shoes out last fall. New drums made a huge difference. In fact, I barely have to push on the pedal to slow down and stop. I plan on keeping drums all around my 69 to keep it stock. I think that will make a difference in value in a few years. __________________ 69 K5 CST stock- 350, 4speed 77 K5 - 383, auto, 6" lift, D60 front, 14b rear, 39" tsl's,

04-04-2006, 02:37 PM	#7
Jason915 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 693	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! you may be able to bleed the front brake by opening where the brake line goes to the wheel cylinder if the bleeder valve is rounded too bad to get a grip on it. Just have some one pump it up then while they are holding the pedal loosen the brake line until the pedal goes down you might get all of the air out that way. __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 SWB Fleetside, 4" skyjacker softride and, 14 Bolt FF, HD Dana 44 4.10's 1970 K5 TBI conversion lifted etc SOLD 1968 C20 camper truck SOLD “To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless.” Jeff Snyder

04-04-2006, 03:18 PM	#8
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! I'll give that a try and let you guys know how it works. Thanks, Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

04-05-2006, 11:13 AM	#9
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Well, pulled the driver side front wheel last night and inspected the brakes. They are like new! Got the bleeder loose as well, so bled the fronts and now I have good pedal. Thanks to all for the help. Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

04-05-2006, 04:53 PM	#10
Jason915 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 693	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Glad to hear it __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 SWB Fleetside, 4" skyjacker softride and, 14 Bolt FF, HD Dana 44 4.10's 1970 K5 TBI conversion lifted etc SOLD 1968 C20 camper truck SOLD “To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless.” Jeff Snyder

04-06-2006, 10:39 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Drum brakes are ok.Routine maintainence would prevent the problem you have.All you have to do is when you rotate your tires,slide the rear drums off and take a peak.the shoes don`t wear much between rotations. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-06-2006, 11:53 AM	#12
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Drum Brakes Suck!!!! Routine is the word. Of course, it didn't help that my Blazer had been sitting for 25 years! I think once I have them working as designed, they will be fine. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty



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