Brake Adjustment '67 C10

[captainwillie]

I have seen several members inquire about adjusting the brakes on the C10. Perhaps you ran into the same problem as I...couldn't find a slot to insert the brake spoon.

I looked all over the brake drum and on the backing plate,but couldn't find the slot. I took the drum off anyway to see what condition everything was in. When I got the drum off and inspected it, there were two 'knock out' plates about a half inch from the edge. Exactly where you'd expect to find slots for brake adjustment. These plates had not been removed and were not visible from the outside of the drum. I took a cold chisel and removed both knock outs to keep the drum in balance. I was then able to use a brake spoon in the normal manner.

I also turned the drums and put new shoes on. I found the auto adjuster 'star wheels' to be pretty rusted. I had read in a forum here about using vinegar for removing rust and decided to try that method. I simply poured some in a plastic container and soaked the adjuster assemblies in ti over night. This method worked very well,and would have been even better if I had decgreased the parts prior to soaking. Still, with a little brushing after soaking, they came out clean and servicable after who knows how many years of prior service.

Anyway, I am just getting started opn this 67 C10 project. If there are others out there with a similar truck, drop me a line and we'll share war stories, parts sources, etc.

Keep on Truckin'.......Captain Willie

[cdowns]

if you save the vineager it can be used as a salad dressing for the in-laws


serious tho i've been using vineager for a few years and it really does work well

[68gmsee]

Yep, vinegar works. Thanks for bringing it up.

I also had to knock the knockouts off my 68. I only have 32K miles on it and it still has the original brake shoes. How many miles on yours?

[Elephanthead]

ah, I was wondering why my front drums on my 67 didn't have an adjuster I could get to, I just pulled the drums and adjusted the new shoes, and put the drums back on. New adjusters are not that much, I always replace them myself when the shoes get changed.