weak manual 4 wheel drum brakes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jakeblues652 · 12-30-2010, 06:57 PM

i was wondering how bad/good these are supposed to stop. my truck has 4 wheel manual brakes, and it dosent like to stop. at all. you literally need to stand on the brakes going down a hill and you still are flying by the time you reach the bottom.
i was thinking about adding a booster, but im thinking there must be a problem somewhere.

i am in the process of replacing the wheel cylinders, so we'll see how much of a difference that makes.

vectorit · 12-30-2010, 07:06 PM

Mine were like that...

I rebuilt the entire brake system, and it stops much better now.
Booster, MC, all 4 WC's, shoes, all rubber lines, and new springs in each drum.

Though, nothing like disc brakes. They will stop my 68 K20 burb, with out me going through too much of a panic attack.

Wrenchbender Ret · 12-30-2010, 07:35 PM

Some of the drum brake shoes we get now just don't seem to have any friction in them. Make sure everything is in good shape. If you havn't done anything to the wheel cyls lately they may be sticking. If a larger dia. cyl. is available that would help. You should put on a booster. I you need to change linings I have had good luck with Carquest.

70 shorty · 12-30-2010, 07:56 PM

That definitely sounds like something is wrong. I have 4 wheel manual drums on mine, and don't find them to be nearly the terrible brakes everyone makes them out to be. I certainly don't have to stand on them to get them to stop. I'm used to very good 4 wheel power discs on my Vette too.

Shyguy · 12-30-2010, 08:38 PM

If the brakes are in good condition they should stop your truck just fine. If you put new shoes on make sure you have the drums turned or get new ones. One of the problems with manual brakes is the adjusters get rusted and the self adjusters don't work.

Also make sure you clean and lub the adjusters.

Since most people are not use to manual brakes, adding a booster is a good idea. I don't have one on either of my trucks, but I am use to driving the old iron.

Tx Firefighter · 12-30-2010, 08:46 PM

I've had them where the old front brake hoses completely plugs internally. The truck literally would not stop.

jakeblues652 · 12-30-2010, 09:17 PM

so since its apart, i plan on draining the system(the fronts at least) and then throwing my WC back in and bleed all around in hopes that i have good stopping power afterward.

12-30-2010, 07:06 PM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: weak manual 4 wheel drum brakes? Mine were like that... I rebuilt the entire brake system, and it stops much better now. Booster, MC, all 4 WC's, shoes, all rubber lines, and new springs in each drum. Though, nothing like disc brakes. They will stop my 68 K20 burb, with out me going through too much of a panic attack. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

12-30-2010, 07:35 PM	#3
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: weak manual 4 wheel drum brakes? Some of the drum brake shoes we get now just don't seem to have any friction in them. Make sure everything is in good shape. If you havn't done anything to the wheel cyls lately they may be sticking. If a larger dia. cyl. is available that would help. You should put on a booster. I you need to change linings I have had good luck with Carquest.

12-30-2010, 07:56 PM	#4
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	Re: weak manual 4 wheel drum brakes? That definitely sounds like something is wrong. I have 4 wheel manual drums on mine, and don't find them to be nearly the terrible brakes everyone makes them out to be. I certainly don't have to stand on them to get them to stop. I'm used to very good 4 wheel power discs on my Vette too. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

12-30-2010, 08:38 PM	#5
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: weak manual 4 wheel drum brakes? If the brakes are in good condition they should stop your truck just fine. If you put new shoes on make sure you have the drums turned or get new ones. One of the problems with manual brakes is the adjusters get rusted and the self adjusters don't work. Also make sure you clean and lub the adjusters. Since most people are not use to manual brakes, adding a booster is a good idea. I don't have one on either of my trucks, but I am use to driving the old iron. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

12-30-2010, 08:46 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: weak manual 4 wheel drum brakes? I've had them where the old front brake hoses completely plugs internally. The truck literally would not stop. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin



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