I keep on burning up front shoes

[Pont406]

I replaced front brakes and drums 3000 miles ago. Every time I drove it, it smelled like a burning clutch. I didn't pay much attention to it untill I felt a brake fade. I checked brakes and found heat cracks on the front only. I replcaced front drums and shoes again. At the same time I replaced all the brake hoses, wheel cylinders and a master cylinder. Drove it over the weekend and I still smelled a burning clutch. Only thing left is a proportioning valve. Anyone had a similar problem?

[oldspowered67C10]

How tight are you adjusting the front brakes? I guess you could drive it and compare front brake vs. rear brake temps to see how hard the brakes are working.

[bigsnookmaster]

Make sure the rear brakes are adjusted properly,and you might try new hardware kits.Those return springs fade away after time and heat gets to them.Good luck

[chris71]

what kind of shoes are they?cheapo's? organic? metallic? if they are cheap organic no-name brand ones, maybe consider upgrading? make sure your MC is drum/drum. disc brakes require higher pressure so the front disc MC is built that way, theoretically the higher pressure may be telling your front cylinders to start braking earlier. just thinking out loud here.

[airdale94]

How hard is your brake pedal. The pushrod in back of the master cyl. is adjustable. Sometimes they need to be screwed in or out. Your shoes might also be hanging up. Check for proper release. Just make sure you don't push on the brakes to hard with your drums off or you will blow out your wheel cyls.

[Yukon Jack]

Unless I'm remembering wrong, truck with drums front and rear don't use a proportioning valve. Sure seems like my 69 K20 doesn't have one and I added one to my 70 K5 when I swapped in a disk front axle. Does your truck definitely have one installed?

[rambler]

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

Make sure the rear brakes are adjusted properly,and you might try new hardware kits.Those return springs fade away after time and heat gets to them.Good luck

I usually get the new hardware kits as well.. not that expensive and good insurance.. since I'm prone to dropping and losing parts when I repair things...

[Blazer1970]

Your rear brakes are not bled properly or not working for another reason.

[BurnoutNova]

if it does have a prop valve, that might be the probleom, drum brakes dont need more psi in the front than in the rear like disc drum setups do. if your getting to much psi in the front the fronts will wear much faster that the rears.

make sure the backing plates and all the moving hardware is clena an well lubricated. if it binding up it may be engaged all the time while your moving

[BurnoutNova]

by the way, thats a neat ventura. thats what it is, right? the tailights look wider than a nova

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

who needs a creeper when you can lay an old coat or pair of coverals on the ground, that is what I always do, don't press the pedal down so hard leadfoot

[Pont406]

I got this truck last year and I didn't do much to it yet. PO installed primary shoes on one side and secondary on the other side. I don't have any private own parts places around. I do have napa closed by but I try to avoid going there. Unless you are buying reman motor or a big items they really don't want to deal with you. I bought all the parts at Autozone. I tryed adjusting on the loose side with no difference. Rear shoes are working because they are locking up at 60mph and up during panic stops. That's why I decided to redo brakes all the way around. I will figure it out. Here is a pic of a proportioning valve. Does this looks correct for a 69 c10? Thanks

[BurnoutNova]

thats just a t- block, not a proportioning valve. it is correct for a drum/drum setup.

it doesnt make sence that your rears will lock up ar 60, but the fronts are obdviously applying pressure all the time. thats like 2 opposite probleoms

[knsmodels]

I had this very same problem with my Chevelle (drums on all fours) I replaced all of the same things and the problem persisted....turned out my "new" master cylinder was bad.....replaced it again and all was fine....good luck

[oldspowered67C10]

Pontiac motor, cool.

[Olden Days]

if it happened as soon as you changed shoes and drums and nothing else I would say you have them adjusted too tight.

[Brad]

So I take that those cracks shown in the top pic are bad??? My original Camaro has always done this with it's front shoes but I've never worried about it. I'm watching this thread closely to find out more....