Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) rear shoes, which one goes where?

[MxerChris]

I know that the shoes are different, when I replaced the rear drums I may have put the shoes on wrong, which shoe goes toward the front? I think this may explain one wheel lock up. Thanks

 

[Grizzly]

The shoe labeled, "Primary", goes forward, which is the shorter of the two. The Secondary is the rear shoe. They are not always labeled. Getting the two mixed will not cause wheel lock. I like to get both rear wheels up on jack stands and pull off both drums and work on one wheel at a time using the opposite wheel for a guide.

 

[DFerverda]

You may have put the 2 "short" ones on one side, and the 2 long on the other?

 

[WestTN]

The short shoe always goes to the front.

 

[RoosterXP]

your adjuster could be too tight causing a wheel to lock up?

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Define "lockup. "

 

[kenny61]

any kind of contamination ie dirt or grease anti rust coating on a new drum or shoes that are adjusted to loose will cause them to grab. if they are too tight they will expand with the heat and cause them to stick and yes the shorter shoe always goes to the front

 

[MxerChris]

the left rear on wet pavement or gravel will lock up with minimal pressure, when you are slowing down on dry pavement you can feel that the rear is braking more just by the attitude and feel of the truck, the brakes seem real touchy. There were 5 codes produced for the rear ABS sensor (that I just replaced 2 days ago see previous post) so this afternoon I will yank the drums off and check the shoes and see if there is a problem with the wiring harness to the sensor. Side note: replaced the serpentine belt and idler pulley on the tensioner now it makes more squeeking noise than before, go figure?

 

[DFerverda]

Sounds like the rear brakes are not adjusted correctly, the left is too tight .

 

[MxerChris]

I have backed off on them but within a few days its right back to locking up??? hopefully after today or tommorow I will know whats up after I pull the drums off.

 

[BDaugherty]

It sounds to me like your rear brake is "touchy". If that's the case, buy new wheel cylinders... assuming everything else is correct. When wheel cylinders start to fail they can become very touchy and lock up easily. Even though it only sounds like one is failing, replace them as pairs to save yourself headache later.

 

[DennyDay]

Almost sounds like you may have installed the automatic adjuster backwards . . .



Denny

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

It sounds to me like your rear brake is "touchy". If that's the case, buy new wheel cylinders... assuming everything else is correct. When wheel cylinders start to fail they can become very touchy and lock up easily. Even though it only sounds like one is failing, replace them as pairs to save yourself headache later.

By wheel cylinders do you mean the brake cylinders on the rear drums themselves?



Also, everytime you back up the adjuster is supposed to get one notch tighter. I never had any problems with that, but maybe you spend un unusual amount of time backing up?



I don't know if it is possible to install the adjuster backwards... . or shoes for that matter if the adjuster was left in place? I have never seen inside a dodge brake drum so I cannot say for sure, but the last truck I had (94 Chevy) made it impossible to install parts backwards. (install holes for adjuster assembly were only on one shoe, etc. ) The problem with my Chebby was the axle seals. The were prone to go out and leak lube into the drum. This caused considerable grabbing and locking up as well. I have no idea what condition your drums are in, just a thought.

 

[MxerChris]

I will probably goe ahead and replace the wheel cylinders, just replaced rotors/pads/bearings/drums/shoes about 3 months ago, pretty sure there are no leaks in the rearend. But about 2 months ago my uncle and I left here (Calera south of Birmingham)on a fri evening pulling a 28' enclosed trailer and drove straight to Hartford Ct. non stop loaded up a 29 Ford Model A Woody Station wagon, stayed about 2 hours and came straight back, got home about 10am on Sunday (2400 miles). On one leg of the trip the parking brake was left slightly on for who knows how long, my uncle was driving at the time and got everything very hot. The ABS and brake light were always on because an issue with the rear sensor so he did not realize the brake was on. Could be a cause for what issues I have. By the way here is a pic of the Woody View attachment 71057

 

[Grizzly]

By wheel cylinders do you mean the brake cylinders on the rear drums themselves?



Also, everytime you back up the adjuster is supposed to get one notch tighter. I never had any problems with that, but maybe you spend un unusual amount of time backing up?



I don't know if it is possible to install the adjuster backwards... . or shoes for that matter if the adjuster was left in place? I have never seen inside a dodge brake drum so I cannot say for sure, but the last truck I had (94 Chevy) made it impossible to install parts backwards. (install holes for adjuster assembly were only on one shoe, etc. ) The problem with my Chebby was the axle seals. The were prone to go out and leak lube into the drum. This caused considerable grabbing and locking up as well. I have no idea what condition your drums are in, just a thought.

You can install the primary and secondary shoes reversed.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I will probably goe ahead and replace the wheel cylinders, just replaced rotors/pads/bearings/drums/shoes about 3 months ago, pretty sure there are no leaks in the rearend. But about 2 months ago my uncle and I left here (Calera south of Birmingham)on a fri evening pulling a 28' enclosed trailer and drove straight to Hartford Ct. non stop loaded up a 29 Ford Model A Woody Station wagon, stayed about 2 hours and came straight back, got home about 10am on Sunday (2400 miles). On one leg of the trip the parking brake was left slightly on for who knows how long, my uncle was driving at the time and got everything very hot. The ABS and brake light were always on because an issue with the rear sensor so he did not realize the brake was on. Could be a cause for what issues I have. By the way here is a pic of the Woody View attachment 71057

That's a sweet car! Very Calvin Coolidge looking

 

[MxerChris]

Yeah, my Great Uncle had it, he was the second owner, its in all original unrestored condition. Here is another picView attachment 71058



View attachment 71059

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Out of curiosity, how much do you suppose that thing's worth? I really like that it's unrestored. Much like your car, my grandma is an un-restored 1927 model

 

[MxerChris]

Haven't really found out yet, some of the model A's dont really go for that much 15-20K, but we've been told that not many Woody Station Wagons were made so its a little more valuable. One guy with a knowledge of these cars told us 80-90K but who knows until he gets it appraised. Here is a pic of his 34 Lo-Boy. View attachment 71064