Drum brakes too tight?

[Atrus]

I've reassembled my rear axle, but the drum brakes seem too tight to the drum. I can spin the wheel and all, but you can hear it dragging. Also, the wheel cylinders haven't been bled, nor are the parking brake linkages installed yet.

I've looked at this picture:

and my adjusters don't fit together that closely in the center. I have a good 1/4" gap between them. The adjuster is set at it's lowest possible position.

Any ideas?

 

[jlaird]

I had the same problem and got a set of new brakes from Peter C that fit just right. However, I did need to have just a bit turned from one rear new drum.

 

[Atrus]

That's a bummer, I have new(er) wheel cylinders (like 50 miles on them) and I bought new shoes and drums. Not to mention, I just reassembled the rear axle for the second time! Don't ask :wink:

I think the major issue is that the full flat end of the adjuster is showing on mine. In the pic above, it appears that the inserts that ride on the adjuster cam are much closer together. Maybe my adjuster isn't seated fully? I didn't remove or play with that. Or, I suppose worst case, I could grind a little off those tappets to get some relief? They are only about $8 each if I screw them up.

 

[fabmandan]

Kevin, I haven't seen a Spridget backing plate, but on most American cars, there are raised ledges that the edges of the shoes sit on. If they are off the ledges you can't get the drums on or they're tight. Try lifting a shoe away from the backing plate and tap it towards the center. Maybe?

 

[Atrus]

Dan - as far as I can tell it's all centered. Just seems to rub more than I would like. I know sometimes a little drag is typical.

I think I'll try to shave down those adjusters a little bit and see where that gets me. I don't think I need much, just a little.

 

[jlaird]

Might try takeing just a stroke or two of a file on the steal part of the brake shoes where they meet the adjusters.

Now why did I not think of that when I was doing mine. Duh.

 

[Atrus]

Duh, good point Jack! I'd rather screw with the wearable shoes than the hardware.

Thanks! :laugh:

 

[jlaird]

I would think that the inverse is also true, a bit of weld would build up new brakeshoes to make em fit on marginal size brake drums.