Drum brake replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67Fleet · 10-13-2005, 10:07 PM

I just replaced my rear drum brake shoes and bought new drums and got the brakes all put back together except the drums don't wanna go back on. I've got the adjusters all the way down. What's the secret to getting the drums to go back on?????

jhow66 · 10-13-2005, 10:20 PM

Sure you got the right drums or shoes?

67Fleet · 10-13-2005, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhow66

Sure you got the right drums or shoes?

yes, Everything matches up to the naked eye.

Longhorn Man · 10-13-2005, 10:30 PM

Look at the brake cylinders. Do they look like they are expanded at all? Try manually pressing the shoes together...pushing them into the 'not braking' position.

krue · 10-13-2005, 10:30 PM

Tap on the brake shoes at the top, sometimes they don't seat on the pivot just right. Use a rubber mallet or something that's not gonna hurt the shoe surface. They may even
need to be moved up a little. Sometimes you just have to play with it.

cdowns · 10-13-2005, 10:33 PM

try pushing the top of the brake shoes further into the cylinders// it maybe somewhat easier if you crack the bleeder

67Fleet · 10-13-2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

try pushing the top of the brake shoes further into the cylinders// it maybe somewhat easier if you crack the bleeder

where's the bleeder located and how to open it up?

Alan Potter · 10-13-2005, 10:39 PM

The emergency brake cable may need to be backed off a few turns, or the cables are rusted and won't return all the way to the proper location.

**truckdude239** · 10-13-2005, 11:34 PM

have you had the drums turned? might be an grove at the end where the shoes don't touch

Longhorn Man · 10-13-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

I just replaced my rear brake shoes and bought new drums

They are new

krue · 10-13-2005, 11:45 PM

Every time I've ever done it, the springs let the shoes sag enough that they didn't seat all the way at the top.

Joe67 · 10-14-2005, 07:13 AM

When I do rear shoes I ususally have to 'snap' them into place to seat properly before placing the drum over.

67Fleet · 10-14-2005, 07:53 AM

It was getting late last night and I didn't spend a whole lot of time with them as I was tired and frustrated. Decided to clean up the rear diff cover and painted it with 3 coats of red paint so I'll work on the brakes again tonight when I have more patience. I'll try tapping the shoes into place w/ a rubber mallet. Definitely noticed that they weren't seated all the way at the top on the pivot arm. The other potential issue I noticed w/ the drums is that there is not slot at the bottom to get to the adjuster. I asked the guy at the auto parts store about this and he said that I shouldn't need it since they should be self-adjusting. ??

Joe, what do you mean by "snap" them into place?

Joe67 · 10-14-2005, 08:02 AM

Once you get the springs in place (you are sure you have the springs in all the right places right?) Grab each show at the top, pull them apart and let them go. Do the same for the bottom.

Regarding the adjuster hole, My '72 has two holes in the backing plates.
Looking at my '67 Panel and my old '67 rear end, there are no holes..

67Fleet · 10-14-2005, 10:54 PM

Well, got the passenger side done tonight! tapped the shoes with a mallet, and then fit the drum on. Painted my diff cover last night and got it on as well. Tomorrow morning I'll do the other drum and then it's off to the tire shop!

Joe67 · 10-17-2005, 08:03 AM

Very nice

67Fleet · 10-17-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67c10step

Very nice

wait till I post up some pics! I'm gonna be rollin' Cali style for a couple weeks till I can get to the front.

Going to Tennessee this week.

Joe67 · 10-17-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

wait till I post up some pics! I'm gonna be rollin' Cali style for a couple weeks till I can get to the front.

Going to Tennessee this week.

I am banning you for making that reference

67Fleet · 10-17-2005, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67c10step

I am banning you for making that reference

Well, then I guess you'll just have to wait until you see the truck in the 'zines. It's gonna be a while though.... :rndll: :rndll:

10-13-2005, 10:07 PM	#1
67Fleet Outlandish Trends - FL Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,396	Drum brake replacement I just replaced my rear drum brake shoes and bought new drums and got the brakes all put back together except the drums don't wanna go back on. I've got the adjusters all the way down. What's the secret to getting the drums to go back on????? __________________ -Bret 67 short-fleet sold!

10-13-2005, 10:20 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Sure you got the right drums or shoes? __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

10-13-2005, 10:30 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Tap on the brake shoes at the top, sometimes they don't seat on the pivot just right. Use a rubber mallet or something that's not gonna hurt the shoe surface. They may even need to be moved up a little. Sometimes you just have to play with it. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-13-2005, 10:33 PM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	try pushing the top of the brake shoes further into the cylinders// it maybe somewhat easier if you crack the bleeder __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-13-2005, 10:39 PM	#8
Alan Potter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 162	The emergency brake cable may need to be backed off a few turns, or the cables are rusted and won't return all the way to the proper location. __________________ '12 Silverado Crew Cab 4x4 '05 Silverado SWB '67 Chevrolet CST 2wd '49 Willys Jeepster

10-13-2005, 10:30 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Look at the brake cylinders. Do they look like they are expanded at all? Try manually pressing the shoes together...pushing them into the 'not braking' position.

10-13-2005, 11:34 PM	#9
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	have you had the drums turned? might be an grove at the end where the shoes don't touch

10-13-2005, 11:45 PM	#11
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Every time I've ever done it, the springs let the shoes sag enough that they didn't seat all the way at the top. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-14-2005, 07:13 AM	#12
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	When I do rear shoes I ususally have to 'snap' them into place to seat properly before placing the drum over. __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-14-2005, 07:53 AM	#13
67Fleet Outlandish Trends - FL Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,396	It was getting late last night and I didn't spend a whole lot of time with them as I was tired and frustrated. Decided to clean up the rear diff cover and painted it with 3 coats of red paint so I'll work on the brakes again tonight when I have more patience. I'll try tapping the shoes into place w/ a rubber mallet. Definitely noticed that they weren't seated all the way at the top on the pivot arm. The other potential issue I noticed w/ the drums is that there is not slot at the bottom to get to the adjuster. I asked the guy at the auto parts store about this and he said that I shouldn't need it since they should be self-adjusting. ?? Joe, what do you mean by "snap" them into place? __________________ -Bret 67 short-fleet sold!

10-14-2005, 08:02 AM	#14
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Once you get the springs in place (you are sure you have the springs in all the right places right?) Grab each show at the top, pull them apart and let them go. Do the same for the bottom. Regarding the adjuster hole, My '72 has two holes in the backing plates. Looking at my '67 Panel and my old '67 rear end, there are no holes.. __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-14-2005, 10:54 PM	#15
67Fleet Outlandish Trends - FL Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,396	Well, got the passenger side done tonight! tapped the shoes with a mallet, and then fit the drum on. Painted my diff cover last night and got it on as well. Tomorrow morning I'll do the other drum and then it's off to the tire shop! __________________ -Bret 67 short-fleet sold!

10-17-2005, 08:03 AM	#16
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: Drum brake replacement Very nice __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

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