Should all 4 wheels stop when you push on the brakes?

[franken]

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

Ok thanks. I'll clean everything up and if that doesn't fix it I'll either replace all the components or put on disc brakes.

Rear brakes provide ~25% of braking so swapping to disks is more a cosmetic thing than functional.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

I replaced everything but the shoes. The cylinders were full of wet mud. I think it was brake fluid mixed with dirt. Looking much better now. Thanks.

Did you put a smear of grease on the backing plate nubs where the shoes contact them?

[K10-Kansas]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Did you put a smear of grease on the backing plate nubs where the shoes contact them?

I didn't. All I had was grease. I was going to stop at the auto parts store and get antiseize. I was assuming it was the right thing.

[geezer#99]

I’ve never used anything but grease.
Just a tiny bit.

[K10-Kansas]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

I’ve never used anything but grease.
Just a tiny bit.

Perfect, I haven't put the drums back on yet so I'll go ahead and do that.

[Accelo]

Where did you find the replacement actuator for the star wheel?
I have been looking for them.
Looks reliable now.
Just to reiterate, you know there are left and right brake adjusters.
Nice job.

[K10-Kansas]

I got all of the parts at Napa.

By left and right adjusters, that is the star wheel?

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

The brake pads I picked up are thinner and the pad portion is slightly longer. Did I get the wrong pads?

maybe wrong shoes? old ones look taller in the picture... if your blindly changing parts hoping its going to fix the problem without knowing what parts your putting on is going to make it harder to fix the problem.

know what brakes it should be on there... RPO codes.... did you get the right brakes?

[Accelo]

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

I got all of the parts at Napa.

By left and right adjusters, that is the star wheel?

Yes, it is the star wheel.
Many have the L or R stamped in to end. You have to pull off the short bullet and look at the end. If you have them installed backwards you would have to pull the adjusted off the star wheel to expand the shoes.
I always do one side at a time. That way I have a pattern to go by and I don't mix up parts. If you lube these parts be sure to use antiseze. I used white grease once and I might as wheel used loctite. They froze up tight. I am fairly confident from the factory they were installed dry.

[K10-Kansas]

I left the old shoes on since the looked good. I put the wheels back on and finally took the truck out of the garage. First time in 5 months due to electrical problem and then the brakes. The truck ran great and stopped on a dime