Drum brakes overheating

[c10_69]

Quick question for anyone who knows about drum brakes when I’m driving my brakes keep getting really hot when I get home I can smell them and the tire rim will be so hot it will burn you if you touch it I don’t know anything about drum brakes so was wondering if this is normal or need to be adjusted or what is going on thanks for any help.
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[hjewell2]

Brake shoes are adjusted out to far.

[c10_69]

I don’t know if this helps any one else answer my question but when I first use my brakes the pedal seems to have a decent amount of travel before brakes engage but as they heat up it will have little to no travel and be very firm
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[swb4me]

A bit more information about your brakes would be useful. Are the shoes, wheel cylinders,etc new or old? Is the master cylinder new? How about the rubber lines? It's common for old rubber lines to collapse and keep the brakes from releasing after they are used.

[c10_69]

one wheel cylinder that I replaced with the help of a buddy is new as for everything else I am not sure because the truck used to belong to my grandfather and the truck sat for at least 7yrs after he passed away until my grandmother gifted it to me last spring

[swb4me]

7 years of not being used is a long time. The rubber parts of your brake system should be replaced. At a minimum you should replace the rubber hoses and bleed the brakes until you have new fluid coming out of all four bleeder valves.

[Steeveedee]

If you didn't yet, also replace all the brake shoe return springs, as a minimum. As was mentioned, a complete hydraulic overhaul is recommended.

[7tee]

Originally Posted by swb4me

7 years of not being used is a long time. The rubber parts of your brake system should be replaced. At a minimum you should replace the rubber hoses and bleed the brakes until you have new fluid coming out of all four bleeder valves.

This could very well solve your problem, it sure did on mine a few years back...

[Overdriven]

Out of curiosity is it the front, rear or both that are heating up? If it’s just the rear and you use the emergency brake it may not be releasing all the way. This is just another thing to check, the advice given above is still very good and should be followed.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Overdriven

Out of curiosity is it the front, rear or both that are heating up? If it’s just the rear and you use the emergency brake it may not be releasing all the way. This is just another thing to check, the advice given above is still very good and should be followed.

That is an excellent point! It having sat that long, the parking brake mechanism could be all rusted up.

[c10_69]

I don’t use the parking brake and both rear wheels heat up
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[basketcase]

Someone may have in the past and rust could be holding it partially applied. Check to be sure they are fully released.

Jack up the rear and see how hard it is to turn the wheels when they are cold. There should not be a noticeable drag but just a slight brushing sound as they turn is ok. Then get in your truck and press the brake pedal a few times and check to see if the drag has increased afterward. If it has that tells you that the shoes are not retracting properly after you let off the brake pedal.

[Sparky dave]

This is adjustment wheel to set the clearance of the shoes to the drum. If you jack up the rear and rock the wheels left to right they should turn easy. Make sure the handbrake is released and the cable is slack and not jammed. If you need to adjust the rear drums remove the wheels and there should be a hole or slot in the bottom of the drum so you shouldn’t need to remove it. you can insert a small flat screwdriver through the hole/ slot and turn the wheel inside. It should be adjusted so it ever so slightly rubs ( the wheel will still easily turn but you can slightly hear it rubbing)
However as previously mentioned if not been used for years a full break system service is the responsible course of action. If your not sure but still have to diy it. YouTube YouTube and YouTube some more. Good luck

[Sparky dave]

Pic of the slot/ hole

Note: some models came with self adjusting drums and they adjusted themselves when you went into reverse and hit the brakes

[KQQL IT]

Our 68 broke the circles spring and the adjusters went full tight.
However both getting warm would lead me to the brake hose as said.