Brake help needed please! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72kool · 08-18-2015, 04:50 PM

A year ago i put all new rear brakes on my 72' gmc C20. I replaced everything in there. I did not drive it much till this spring and now if i drive it daily, every week or so the right rear drum needs backed off. I always do one side at a time and take pictures when i do drums as a habit from years of doing them. I pulled the drum off to make sure its setup right and find nothing wrong. Im at a loss here guys. I replaced the adjuster again to make sure, no e-brake is hooked up either. I have researched and came up with nothing. I do not believe it would be the rear brake hose because its only the right rear, never the left.
What am I missing or doing wrong? I can post pictures later on tonight

bretcopsey · 08-18-2015, 08:13 PM

Somewhere along the way, maybe a left side adjuster was put on the right side?

CST10 · 08-18-2015, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bretcopsey

Somewhere along the way, maybe a left side adjuster was put on the right side?

That would be the first thing I checked out.

GRX · 08-19-2015, 12:44 AM

My thought as well. The adjuster on one side needs reverse threads, though I cannot remember which at this moment.

72kool · 08-19-2015, 11:49 AM

thanks for the idea. i will check that as soon as i can. Im not sure that is the issue though because i just replaced the adjuster 2 months ago and its been doing it for longer than that with the original (atleast original since ive had it) adjuster.

bretcopsey · 08-19-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72kool

thanks for the idea. i will check that as soon as i can. Im not sure that is the issue though because i just replaced the adjuster 2 months ago and its been doing it for longer than that with the original (atleast original since ive had it) adjuster.

It's possible a prior owner replaced with the wrong one. A quick way to tell without taking everything apart would be to roll each adjuster several clicks to see what happens. If I recall correctly, rolling mine "up" loosened the shoes at all 4 corners. If your right rear reacts differenly than the others, it is for the left side.

72kool · 08-19-2015, 02:43 PM

i will check the left side and see which way it turns. I know (ask me how) that the right side is turn down for loose, turn up for tight. they should be opposite of each other correct?

PNWchevrolet · 08-19-2015, 05:57 PM

Good luck. I own a '69 C10 SWB with original drum brake in the rear. They barely work. I don't work on cars, but have tools. Is there a how to on this site or a video on youtube I could watch to do it myself? Or do you guys think I should take it into a shop and pay $150? Thanks and good luck on this fix.

$20071k10 · 08-19-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNWchevrolet

Good luck. I own a '69 C10 SWB with original drum brake in the rear. They barely work. I don't work on cars, but have tools. Is there a how to on this site or a video on youtube I could watch to do it myself? Or do you guys think I should take it into a shop and pay $150? Thanks and good luck on this fix.

do it your self it isn't very hard and yes youtube has plenty of videos as a reference save your self some money

72kool · 08-19-2015, 07:16 PM

You can do it. Look at YouTube or here if in doubt, take your time, do one at a time so you have a live reference and take pictures . these will help you a lot. They are really simple except for cases like mine where they are screwing with ya

bretcopsey · 08-19-2015, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72kool

i will check the left side and see which way it turns. I know (ask me how) that the right side is turn down for loose, turn up for tight. they should be opposite of each other correct?

There are right and left hand threaded adjusters. Because of that and them fitting into the same locations within the drum it results in them adjusting the same way. So, turning them up or down should result in spreading or retracting the shoes the same on each side of the vehicle. That makes sense as I typed it out, hope it's clear now.

Xeen · 08-19-2015, 08:48 PM

Most people who have never had training on Chevrolet brake systems don't know this but there is a wave washer in between the parking brake lever and the brake shoe lever that is required for normal operation of the brake mechanism and if it is missing then the mechanism can bind causing abnormal operation of the mechanism.
That's a lot of mechanisms

You can pickup the required wave washer at your local Ace Hardware in the special fasteners bin of the nuts and bolts section.

08-18-2015, 04:50 PM	#1
72kool Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: kearney nebraska Posts: 613	Brake help needed please! A year ago i put all new rear brakes on my 72' gmc C20. I replaced everything in there. I did not drive it much till this spring and now if i drive it daily, every week or so the right rear drum needs backed off. I always do one side at a time and take pictures when i do drums as a habit from years of doing them. I pulled the drum off to make sure its setup right and find nothing wrong. Im at a loss here guys. I replaced the adjuster again to make sure, no e-brake is hooked up either. I have researched and came up with nothing. I do not believe it would be the rear brake hose because its only the right rear, never the left. What am I missing or doing wrong? I can post pictures later on tonight

08-18-2015, 08:13 PM	#2
bretcopsey Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: dayton, oh Posts: 327	Re: Brake help needed please! Somewhere along the way, maybe a left side adjuster was put on the right side? __________________ My 51 project http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2285825 My 68 Camaro project http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2277404/1

08-19-2015, 12:44 AM	#4
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: Brake help needed please! My thought as well. The adjuster on one side needs reverse threads, though I cannot remember which at this moment.

08-19-2015, 11:49 AM	#5
72kool Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: kearney nebraska Posts: 613	Re: Brake help needed please! thanks for the idea. i will check that as soon as i can. Im not sure that is the issue though because i just replaced the adjuster 2 months ago and its been doing it for longer than that with the original (atleast original since ive had it) adjuster.

08-19-2015, 02:43 PM	#7
72kool Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: kearney nebraska Posts: 613	Re: Brake help needed please! i will check the left side and see which way it turns. I know (ask me how) that the right side is turn down for loose, turn up for tight. they should be opposite of each other correct?

08-19-2015, 05:57 PM	#8
PNWchevrolet Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mill Creek, Washington Posts: 19	Re: Brake help needed please! Good luck. I own a '69 C10 SWB with original drum brake in the rear. They barely work. I don't work on cars, but have tools. Is there a how to on this site or a video on youtube I could watch to do it myself? Or do you guys think I should take it into a shop and pay $150? Thanks and good luck on this fix.

08-19-2015, 07:16 PM	#10
72kool Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: kearney nebraska Posts: 613	Re: Brake help needed please! You can do it. Look at YouTube or here if in doubt, take your time, do one at a time so you have a live reference and take pictures . these will help you a lot. They are really simple except for cases like mine where they are screwing with ya

08-19-2015, 08:48 PM	#12
Xeen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Topeka Kansas Posts: 2,655	Re: Brake help needed please! Most people who have never had training on Chevrolet brake systems don't know this but there is a wave washer in between the parking brake lever and the brake shoe lever that is required for normal operation of the brake mechanism and if it is missing then the mechanism can bind causing abnormal operation of the mechanism. That's a lot of mechanisms You can pickup the required wave washer at your local Ace Hardware in the special fasteners bin of the nuts and bolts section. __________________ Please call me Brian. Check out My 1972 SWB Fleetside 5.3L Vortec Restomod Build Last edited by Xeen; 08-19-2015 at 08:56 PM.



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