2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Need drum brake guru help; '97 dually

[Diesel Fever]

Hey guys, I have recently encountered a problem with my truck. Just today coming home from work, I pulled into my street but stopped for a car to get by. Then when I pulled forward to position myself to back up, I heard this awful squeaking as the wheels began to rotate. Applied the brakes, but the squeaking continued until the truck came to a hault. This was not happening before I stopped on my street, just once I started to move again. The whole ride home (about 20 miles) was trouble free. I did not slam on the brakes either, just hit the pedal at a normal pressure. But now this squeak seems to be permanent for when ever the wheels are in motion, and it feels as if the rear (has drums) is holding the truck back; stops pretty quick once off the throttle, but without applying the brake pedal. So, for the most part, can't really drive her. Could an adjusting screw(s) have failed? Or atleast just went out of spec. ? I'm a lil rusty on drum brakes, and not sure how to begin the approach with a dually. I'd appreciate any advice/help you guys could give me. Thanks in advance, take care.



Best Regards,

Matt

 

[ata]

I think the Self Adjuster spring broke and is wegded in there. If not that spring one of the others. Pull the drum and look.

 

[Diesel Fever]

here yesterday, gone today

Well after two days of "holding-back" squeeling drums, now all of a sudden it is as if it never happened. I am clueless on how this could have happened. From the symptoms I was sure somethin had broke, but could a rock or something possibly get jammed in the duals and cause that severe of a retarding? The erie squeeking sounds are what made me think it was the drums themselves, self adjusters or such. However, I am thankful the problem has stopped, but what are the odds... :-laf

 

[B.G. Smith]

I think ata may have nailed it, better have a look before it gets worse. bg

 

[scotmartin]

You need open-drum exploratory surgery.

 

[Mhannink]

pull both drums and take a look see. what might have happened is something broke and after a little bit of driving has worn down the pads enough not to be a noticable issue. i would definatly be taking a look though. then since your in there i would throw the bigger wheel cylinders in. napa part number is 37337 mid 80's 1 ton dually chevy, and maybe new drums and shoes depending on wear. lastly and pretty much regardless of what else you might do. take them apart only one at a time though, and clean everything. my rule of thumb is a can and a half of brake clean minimum. clean everything and put never sieze on the self adjusters. after that put it all back together and adjust it. the way i adjust them is run the shoes out till they solidly contact the drums. take the screw driver and hit the drum before you start so you know the sound it will be high pitched. when you adjust them go till you hear a dull clunk and back them off till you hear the sound change. like i said set them tight. the sound isnt exactly the same as when you started but you will hear the change. if the brakes drag at all them loosen them a touch more. you shouldnt have any problems after that, and if you put the chevy cylinders in they will continue to self adjust and work great.



sorry for the long winded post. i hope it helps you out though.

 

[AMink]

I did get a rock stuck between the rotor and the metal backer on my fronts once. Made a heck of a racket. Can something get wedged between the drum and the backing plate on drum brakes? I think pulling the drum is the best idea in case something did let loose.