Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) rear brakes

[cmills]

I put new brakes on the back of my truck and also upgraded to the larger chevy wheel cylinders, after I put them on and adjusted them where I liked it, they seemed to tighten up some, so I got under the truck and backed off the brakes again by turning the little star wheel (not sure what its called) and once again they seemed to tighten back up, now, I say tighten up because the rear brakes are stopping more and the parking brake gets a lot tighter. Is this just a case of the brakes finally self adjusting like they are supposed to but never really have or is there something wrong?







thanks,

Cory

 

[DFerverda]

When i got my truck, the rear brakes didn't work worth squat. I put on new brake shoes and springs and cleaned up everything. It seemed weird to put on the brakes and feel the rear's working.
As long as the shoes don't get too tight,(drag bad) your good to go. Keep figuring your mileage, if they drag, it will drop.

 

[SRadke]

Drive 10 miles on the highway then feel the drums. They shouldn't be any more than warm.

-Scott

 

[cmills]

Drive 10 miles on the highway then feel the drums. They shouldn't be any more than warm.



-Scott

they aren't dragging because they seem fairly cool after just driving but if I make a couple good stops they get pretty warm. maybe its just because of the larger wheel cylinders. Is it just the brakes self adjusting that causes them to tighten back up after I back them off?

 

[SRadke]

Likely. They should get warm with use. As long as they aren't dragging you should be fine.

 

[cmills]

they also grab real bad the first time or 2 that I stop after the truck has been sitting whether it has been for 20 minutes or 20 hrs it almost always seems to do that, is there a reason why?

 

[DFerverda]

Sounds like you have them too tight. Are you sure you have all the air bled out of the system? Is the inside of the drum clean and did you get the ridge down?
I usually clean up everything inside, use some sand paper to cut the ridge and clean the inside of the drum. Tear the adjusters apart, clean and coat the threads with brake grease, adjust the shoes so the drum just slides on without binding and adjust the adjuster a few clicks tighter and spin the drum. Do both sides the same and check the peddle to make sure it is about where i want it. EDIT... ... . Do not put the truck in drive on stands without the tires on. . ie without the drums being held on they will fly off. (Don't ask how i know)
Drive the truck on a gravel drive or dirt road going about 5-10 mph and step hard on the brakes, stop the truck and get out and look where the skid starts. If the front brakes slide there will be no tread marks from them, if the right rear is looser then the left , the left will start first... ... ... ... Not very professional, but it lets you know which one to tighten. Get them both to start at the same time and they should be good. .
Dirk

 

[cmills]

the problem is that every time I loosen the adjuster to where I want them. they just seem to tighten back up. When I loosen them I have to push the parking brake lever a little ways to set the parking brake but before to long they tighten back up and I just barely have to push the parking brake lever and the brakes are set. I haven't counted the threads on the adjuster or anything to make sure that it is tightening back up, but what else could it be if the parking brake acts like that?

 

[DFerverda]

The only time the adjusters come into play is when you back up and put on the brakes... ... . If you back up a lot they will adjust, but are supposed to quit when they get to a certain point.
Did you take apart one side at a time?
Are you sure you got them back together right, it is easy to turn a spring or get something in the wrong spot.

 

[cmills]

I don't know what the problem is, I am going to go and take the drum off and see if anything looks weird.

 

[cmills]

I went out and looked and noticed I put the longer shoe on the front, at least on the right side (didn't check the left). If I remember correctly the longer shoe should go on the back, Right?



I will change it Saturday, could this actually cause the problem I am having or could it be something else?

 

[DFerverda]

Yep. My brother in law put both long shoes on his car one time, on the same side and both short one's on the other. Talk about grabby.
If you have access to a haynes manual or a tech cd, it is real helpful, shows which way the springs and such go.
While you have it apart be sure to put plenty of grease or antiseize on the threads inside the adjuster, then wipe off the outside.
Good luck, i think you found it.
Dirk