Front shoe replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cameeks · 07-22-2007, 10:57 PM

I was wondering how much time and what is all involved in changing the front brake shoes (drum). I have worked on almost all kinds of brake systems ( and probably do this by looking at the setup) but I have never done a front drum befor and want to do it befor work tomorrow. I searched Krue's FAQ section but I didn't see anything. HELP

'68 longbed · 07-22-2007, 11:09 PM

all of 'em are pretty much the same. just do one side at a time so you can reference the spring location etc.

longhorn70gmc · 07-22-2007, 11:09 PM

Its real easy. Small shoe to the front and big shoe to the back. I do mine in halves. I take the big shoe off first and reinstall the new one putting it all back on with the other stuff. Then I do the little shoe and am done in 15 to twenty if not faster. If your drum doesn't want to come off then you may have to loosen the star so it backs the breaks off the drum. Good luck, I just did the whole truck in less then an hour.

cameeks · 07-22-2007, 11:17 PM

[QUOTE=longhorn70gmc;2274950]If your drum doesn't want to come off then you may have to loosen the star so it backs the breaks off the drum. QUOTE]

cameeks · 07-22-2007, 11:19 PM

Does the front drums come off like a front rotor on the 80's trucks and cars or do the wheel bearings stay sealed with the drum off?

'68 longbed · 07-22-2007, 11:20 PM

[QUOTE=cameeks;2274960]

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn70gmc

If your drum doesn't want to come off then you may have to loosen the star so it backs the breaks off the drum. QUOTE]

use a "bfh" a big friggin' hammer.

tap moderatly hard all the way around the drum and it will almost always pop loose.

**70C10Toejam** · 07-22-2007, 11:42 PM

The front drums come off just like the disks do, remove the castle nut and pull. If the drum hangs on the brake shoes, you will need to knock out the "knockout" in the drum, a small oval near the outer edge of the drum. when the hole is at the bottom, you will see a "star" wheel, that is the adjuster. I don't remember if you turn the adjuster up or down to back the shoes off, it is fairly obvious, easier to turn when NOT pushing against the return springs. After thinking about it...I think you want to turn it down, On the rears, the auto adjuster pushes down FROM THE INSIDE OF THE STAR, which would be up from your point of view. With the rears, you need to push against the adjuster to get it away from the star, I don't believe the fronts are self-adjusting, so it should not be an issue.

Sorry, could not find a pic for you.

**Stocker** · 07-22-2007, 11:44 PM

Do you have brake spring pliers? They make the job a lot easier...

cameeks · 07-22-2007, 11:44 PM

ok so have some grease available then?

cameeks · 07-22-2007, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

Do you have brake spring pliers? They make the job a lot easier...

got those without the part on the handle

**70C10Toejam** · 07-22-2007, 11:48 PM

I got a set of those...might as well use some broken needle-nose and a razor blade.

but yes...some disk-brake grease is good.

Longhorn Man · 07-24-2007, 03:40 AM

get new seals for the bearings, and clean/repack the inner and outter bearings. inspect them real close too. It's very easy, the parts are all cheap, and not doing it can be disaterouse. I almost lost a wheel due to bearing falure on a back woods tx two lane doing speed limit X 2.
Even at the speed limit, the results woulda beel just as bad.

krue · 07-24-2007, 03:46 AM

Take a lot of pictures and write a FAQ for us.

Truckstr · 07-24-2007, 08:43 AM

I can't speak for the 1969's like yours, BUT when I went to inspect the front brake shoes on my '66, the drums were still riveted to the hub. In order to remove the drums - and avoid cutting off the rivets, I had to take off the entire assembly via the center bearing castle nut. Ya can't get more original than that! If that hadn't been the case, just removing the wheel (and maybe backing off the adjusting "star" - access hole in the backing plate) would have allowed the drums to be removed.

BTW, yes the shoes needed to be replaced. They were paper thin. BUT, the drums were as smooth as glass, didn't have a ridge worn into them that would hold the shoes inside the drum and no hot spots, so they didn't have to be turned. I was pretty surprised. Needless to say, I'll do my best to keep from ever having to cut those rivets.

cameeks · 07-24-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krue

Take a lot of pictures and write a FAQ for us.

I can write one up but can use some info like how the castle nut is supposed to be installed. I have been doing it for years and can do it by feel but cant explain the technical part of it. It is like one of those I can do it but can't explain it things

Mt Man Chad · 07-24-2007, 01:57 PM

They say a picture is a thousand words. I took before I did mine two weeks ago so I would never forget.

Driver side shown = Passenger side is just opposide of what is shown!

Just make sure you don’t swap the lower screw adjuster one side is LH thread and the other is RH thread. Otherwise your breaks will not adjust correctly!

nplocoman · 07-24-2007, 02:48 PM

I would also suggest new wheel cylinders or at least hone and kit the old ones! Not moch more money. The last time I did this I also put on new drums. The old ones did not turn true.

Longhorn Man · 07-24-2007, 03:54 PM

New cylinders aren't a bad idea... but I would avoid the new drums unless you need them. I found they warp REAL easy, and in all reality, it took a few hrs of labor to make a hole in them to adjust the brakes. I was very disapointed in the lack of correctness on the replacement drums. (refering to my last truck, 1/2 ton SWB GMC, not my one ton)

PanelDeland · 07-24-2007, 04:58 PM

I usually clean the threads on the adjuster with a wire brush and then anti sieze them.That way they tend to keep auto adjusting better.

**oldgold70c10** · 07-24-2007, 06:39 PM

Doing the brakes, front or rear, is really easy. Just when doing the front, be sure the adjusters are working, and you get the wheel-bearings set up right. I don't know what others have found, but when I got those things right, my left/right pull completely disapeared. I can hit the brakes hard (4 wheel drum manual) and I brake nice and straight and stop fast!

nplocoman · 07-24-2007, 07:14 PM

Hey longhornman are you talking about the drums or the backing plate? You have me a bit confused? How do you make a hole in the drum for adjusting?

longhorn70gmc · 07-25-2007, 12:28 AM

[QUOTE=Mt Man Chad;2277145]They say a picture is a thousand words. I took before I did mine two weeks ago so I would never forget.

Thanks for posting the picture for him. I still struggle with posting those.

cameeks · 07-25-2007, 01:56 AM

I got it done but with 15 min left for work so the pics stop after the drum is taken off. The po got some nuts and bolts and bolted the drum to the hub oh well. I'm just trying to get it to last until I do my 4 wheel disk swap. I'm flushing the system in the morning.

cell · 07-25-2007, 02:02 AM

I just finished doing this yesterday, and will be posting pictures soon.

07-22-2007, 10:57 PM	#1
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Front shoe replacement I was wondering how much time and what is all involved in changing the front brake shoes (drum). I have worked on almost all kinds of brake systems ( and probably do this by looking at the setup) but I have never done a front drum befor and want to do it befor work tomorrow. I searched Krue's FAQ section but I didn't see anything. HELP __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

07-22-2007, 11:09 PM	#2
'68 longbed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 181	Re: Front shoe replacement all of 'em are pretty much the same. just do one side at a time so you can reference the spring location etc. __________________ "spiiiider pig, spiiiiider pig, does whatever spiiiider pig does. "

07-22-2007, 11:09 PM	#3
longhorn70gmc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA Posts: 1,715	Re: Front shoe replacement Its real easy. Small shoe to the front and big shoe to the back. I do mine in halves. I take the big shoe off first and reinstall the new one putting it all back on with the other stuff. Then I do the little shoe and am done in 15 to twenty if not faster. If your drum doesn't want to come off then you may have to loosen the star so it backs the breaks off the drum. Good luck, I just did the whole truck in less then an hour. __________________ Billy 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! *I need another truck like I need another hole in the head!* I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE! Last edited by longhorn70gmc; 07-22-2007 at 11:11 PM. Reason: Add a couple words to sound better.

07-22-2007, 11:17 PM	#4
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Front shoe replacement [QUOTE=longhorn70gmc;2274950]If your drum doesn't want to come off then you may have to loosen the star so it backs the breaks off the drum. QUOTE] __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

07-22-2007, 11:19 PM	#5
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Front shoe replacement Does the front drums come off like a front rotor on the 80's trucks and cars or do the wheel bearings stay sealed with the drum off? __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

07-22-2007, 11:42 PM	#7
70C10Toejam Hellasick Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Death Moans, IA Posts: 876	Re: Front shoe replacement The front drums come off just like the disks do, remove the castle nut and pull. If the drum hangs on the brake shoes, you will need to knock out the "knockout" in the drum, a small oval near the outer edge of the drum. when the hole is at the bottom, you will see a "star" wheel, that is the adjuster. I don't remember if you turn the adjuster up or down to back the shoes off, it is fairly obvious, easier to turn when NOT pushing against the return springs. After thinking about it...I think you want to turn it down, On the rears, the auto adjuster pushes down FROM THE INSIDE OF THE STAR, which would be up from your point of view. With the rears, you need to push against the adjuster to get it away from the star, I don't believe the fronts are self-adjusting, so it should not be an issue. Sorry, could not find a pic for you. __________________ I keep two MAGNUMS in my desk. One's a gun, and I keep it loaded. The other's a bottle and it keeps ME loaded. I'm Tracer Bullet. (Calvin and Hobbes) This life was a test. It was only a test. If this had been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what to do. RED meat is not bad for you...FUZZY BLUE/GREEN MEAT is bad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUILT FORD TOUGH WITH CHEVY STUFF--sticker at Goodguys

07-22-2007, 11:44 PM	#8
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,593	Re: Front shoe replacement Do you have brake spring pliers? They make the job a lot easier... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-22-2007, 11:44 PM	#9
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Front shoe replacement ok so have some grease available then? __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

07-22-2007, 11:48 PM	#11
70C10Toejam Hellasick Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Death Moans, IA Posts: 876	Re: Front shoe replacement I got a set of those...might as well use some broken needle-nose and a razor blade. but yes...some disk-brake grease is good. __________________ I keep two MAGNUMS in my desk. One's a gun, and I keep it loaded. The other's a bottle and it keeps ME loaded. I'm Tracer Bullet. (Calvin and Hobbes) This life was a test. It was only a test. If this had been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what to do. RED meat is not bad for you...FUZZY BLUE/GREEN MEAT is bad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUILT FORD TOUGH WITH CHEVY STUFF--sticker at Goodguys

07-24-2007, 03:40 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Front shoe replacement get new seals for the bearings, and clean/repack the inner and outter bearings. inspect them real close too. It's very easy, the parts are all cheap, and not doing it can be disaterouse. I almost lost a wheel due to bearing falure on a back woods tx two lane doing speed limit X 2. Even at the speed limit, the results woulda beel just as bad. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 07-24-2007 at 03:42 AM.

07-24-2007, 03:46 AM	#13
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Front shoe replacement Take a lot of pictures and write a FAQ for us. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

07-24-2007, 08:43 AM	#14
Truckstr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lebanon, Tennessee Posts: 1,372	Re: Front shoe replacement I can't speak for the 1969's like yours, BUT when I went to inspect the front brake shoes on my '66, the drums were still riveted to the hub. In order to remove the drums - and avoid cutting off the rivets, I had to take off the entire assembly via the center bearing castle nut. Ya can't get more original than that! If that hadn't been the case, just removing the wheel (and maybe backing off the adjusting "star" - access hole in the backing plate) would have allowed the drums to be removed. BTW, yes the shoes needed to be replaced. They were paper thin. BUT, the drums were as smooth as glass, didn't have a ridge worn into them that would hold the shoes inside the drum and no hot spots, so they didn't have to be turned. I was pretty surprised. Needless to say, I'll do my best to keep from ever having to cut those rivets. __________________ Jeff '67 short Fleet; my ongoing project. '66 long Fleet; my original "baby." Live life or bust trying.

07-24-2007, 01:57 PM	#16
Mt Man Chad Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oakridge Oregon Posts: 1,865	Re: Front shoe replacement They say a picture is a thousand words. I took before I did mine two weeks ago so I would never forget. Driver side shown = Passenger side is just opposide of what is shown! Just make sure you don’t swap the lower screw adjuster one side is LH thread and the other is RH thread. Otherwise your breaks will not adjust correctly! Attached Images __________________ 68 CST SWB - Gold/White 50th anniversary /TH350/Buddy Buckets/3.73 Posi/dogdish caps. 68 K10 Burb - Gold/White 327/SM465/NP205/3.73 "Daa Burb" build thread Last edited by Mt Man Chad; 07-24-2007 at 01:58 PM.

07-24-2007, 02:48 PM	#17
nplocoman never finish start another Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Platte Nebraska Posts: 432	Re: Front shoe replacement I would also suggest new wheel cylinders or at least hone and kit the old ones! Not moch more money. The last time I did this I also put on new drums. The old ones did not turn true.

07-24-2007, 03:54 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Front shoe replacement New cylinders aren't a bad idea... but I would avoid the new drums unless you need them. I found they warp REAL easy, and in all reality, it took a few hrs of labor to make a hole in them to adjust the brakes. I was very disapointed in the lack of correctness on the replacement drums. (refering to my last truck, 1/2 ton SWB GMC, not my one ton)



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07-24-2007, 04:58 PM	#19
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Front shoe replacement I usually clean the threads on the adjuster with a wire brush and then anti sieze them.That way they tend to keep auto adjusting better. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-24-2007, 06:39 PM	#20
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: Front shoe replacement Doing the brakes, front or rear, is really easy. Just when doing the front, be sure the adjusters are working, and you get the wheel-bearings set up right. I don't know what others have found, but when I got those things right, my left/right pull completely disapeared. I can hit the brakes hard (4 wheel drum manual) and I brake nice and straight and stop fast! __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

07-24-2007, 07:14 PM	#21
nplocoman never finish start another Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Platte Nebraska Posts: 432	Re: Front shoe replacement Hey longhornman are you talking about the drums or the backing plate? You have me a bit confused? How do you make a hole in the drum for adjusting?

07-25-2007, 12:28 AM	#22
longhorn70gmc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA Posts: 1,715	Re: Front shoe replacement [QUOTE=Mt Man Chad;2277145]They say a picture is a thousand words. I took before I did mine two weeks ago so I would never forget. Thanks for posting the picture for him. I still struggle with posting those. __________________ Billy 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! *I need another truck like I need another hole in the head!* I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE!

07-25-2007, 01:56 AM	#23
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Front shoe replacement I got it done but with 15 min left for work so the pics stop after the drum is taken off. The po got some nuts and bolts and bolted the drum to the hub oh well. I'm just trying to get it to last until I do my 4 wheel disk swap. I'm flushing the system in the morning. __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

07-25-2007, 02:02 AM	#24
cell Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 217	Re: Front shoe replacement I just finished doing this yesterday, and will be posting pictures soon.

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