Brakes Pull to the right

[Striker169]

Ok so I have replaced everything on my brake system from the shoes to the MC except the lines and prop valve. I mean all new hardware wheel cylenders power brake booster everything. Well I got it to brake this weekend but it doesnt start braking till like almost at the floor but it has plenty of pressure. Does that mean the rod needs to be adjusted on the pedel? and then the other thing is that when you brake it pulls to the right real bad what needs adjusting to correct this?

[Longhorn Man]

The shoes need adjusting.


Try this... pump up the pedal. If it pumps up, and doesn't sink down while holding the pedal for a min or so, then the shoes need adjusting.
If they don't chainge, and the pedal can be described as "having a lot of freeplay".... then adjust the rod in the booster.



Either way, the pulling deal sounds to me like the shoes are in need of adjustment.

[truckdude239]

sounds like u need to either adjust the shoes or the push rod if one set of shoe is adjusted more then the other it will pull in that direction

[Tx Firefighter]

A trick an old mechanic taught me...

When adjusting drum brakes, keep clicking till you can't tighten it any more. Then, back it off 5 or so clicks. This seats the shoes fully and removes all slack.

We used to have mail Jeeps at the Post Office where I mechaniced. Those bastards had 4 wheel drums, so we had to get real familiar with working on drum systems.

[truckdude239]

i love working on drum systes

[Green Machine]

Did you manually adjust the brake shoes out some to where they almost touch before putting the drums back on ? Also, find a deserted stretch of hiway and backup,stop,backup,stop, about 20 times, yeah looks stupid but thas how they self adjust, if you get an improvement in the pedal feel, keep doing that until you notice no improvement. Now that will only help if some are set too loose, if one is set too tight you will have to adjust it back manually, remove drum or if it has a slot use that.

[Longhorn Man]

I forgot to mention the tighten it up till it's too tight trick... that helps seat everything and is highly recomended.

[Striker169]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

I forgot to mention the tighten it up till it's too tight trick... that helps seat everything and is highly recomended.

you mean just make it all tightened so that it rubs a little and jsut drive it to wear it down?

[Longhorn Man]

no... do like Tx Firefighter said... tighten untill the wheel is locked, then back it off about 5 clicks....if your drums were not turned or replaced, then make it 8 clicks.

[Striker169]

ok I had them replaced so I will give that a try then back up a ton. Thanks guys

[LONGHAIR]

The "backing up" thing only works if the adjusters can actually move.......not rusted/stuck.
I would assume (I know...don't say it) that everything is working ok in your case because you said that you have replaced nearly everything in your first post, but it is still worth checking. So it probably is in the adjustment. Pulling to the right would indicate that the left shoes are too loose, or that they are on improperly. You wouldn't believe how many vehicles I have taken apart to find both long shoes on the same side.

This is the best reason there is to switch to discs...no more wrestling with the adjustment to get away from the pull.

[Striker169]

the adjusters can actually move so that should work. hopefully they are jsut too loose. I offically hate brake work and yes wish I could go to disks but the cab needs more work and $$$ before I can do that.

[fastwillie 696969]

you can measure the drum with a ruler then adjust the shoes to the ruler this will get you close for the final adjustment which is it tighten into the drums gets a slight drag

[Tx Firefighter]

I've seen this plenty of times with a bad brake hose too. You didn't specifically say if you changed them or not.

[Striker169]

no i didnt change brake hoses but that would only be a problem if they were leaking?

[Tx Firefighter]

No way Jose, they swell closed on the insides. I had a truck about 10 years ago, I could not get any front brakes at all. None. I could jack up the front end and spin the wheels while someone stood on the brake pedal. It would keep spinning. The hoses were completely swelled shut internally. A new 40 dollar set of hoses fixed it right up.

BTW, I have a brand new set of front drum brake hoses I'd sell right. I put them on for a week or two before removing them to go disc brakes.

[Striker169]

hmm well if I still cant get them to adjust and brake right after this weekend I can try replaceing the hoses. YGPM

[chipflyer]

I am with TX on this one, seen it several times. I would bet that you can't blow through the Left brake hose.

[Green Machine]

As mentioned above, make sure one brake shoe with the the shortest lining is installed at the front of each drum, and one shoe with the the longest lining is installed at the rear of each drum.

[sdmahr]

Also re-bleed the brakes. I must have had a air bubble in the system on one side cause' it made mine pull as well. Once bled again, I got a couple more bubbles out of one side and she stops straight and true.

Great suggestions on adjustment here as well. Drums can be a pain the the A$$, but once set up they work well.

[69TowRig]

Another vote for hoses. An old boss of mine had a '70s Chevy 1/2 ton that when you stepped on the brakes the hoses trapped fluid and made the calipers grab and hold. You couldn't drive the truck until it sat and bled out the pressure in the hoses. Needless to say he used the parking brake for stops for a day or two. A shop figured this out and replaced his hoses, all was well after that.