2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Drum Brake Madness!!! HELP

[StephenDelany]

Whoever designed the guts of the rear drum brakes on these things must have been on ACID! If he is still alive we should have him Drawn and Quartered!

Did my first drum brake change today, installed new 1 Ton cylinders and flushed system 'til she ran clean like water. . Put in a set of fancy wagner Thermo-Quiets ($$$) and set up the adjusters so there was just a little bit of friction but not much at all.

Off for the test drive. Everything feeling great. Pedal solid. Stops very well. no vibrations, hydraulic system tight, etc. Did about a dozen back-up and slam on the brake drills to get everything "even" with the adjusters.

Get back home and feel drums behind wheels. Driver side hot to touch . . what you'd expect. Passenger side hotter than H***!! Jack rig up again at 11:30 PM to see what kind of drag on wheels. Passenger side just solid locked-up!! :{ Driver side a little bit of drag but not much.

WHAT IS GOING ON!! I need help on this. My spirit is flagging after all that gut busting work in 90 Deg. heat with heavy humidity and now I have to deal with this! Give a guy a break!!

Any Brake GURUs please jump in.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Probably a dumb question, but, did you loosen the adjuster on the pass. side and try it again?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Adjust the shoes by hand. Don't count on the self adjusters.

 

[Joe Mc]

Take star adjuster apart, clean and lube w/anti-seize - especially the threaded area and where the adjuster slides into the sloted end. Make sure to ues a white lithium grease on the brake shoe perches on the brake plate so they will move w/out friction. If there are grooves in the perches they must be ground flat - if grooves are to deep then you'll have to weld in more material then smooth flat. Rotors and pads are definiitly easier to work with - I feel your pain I'm drummed too.