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Drum brake question
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67479		 Page 2 of 2
Author:  valleyguy [ Sun Oct 29, 2023 3:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Drum brake question
The drums were supposedly new... 'Ill' be sure to adjust them as suggested. Thanks to all who gave me the tips; going to work on them tomorrow...
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Oct 29, 2023 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Drum brake question
Quote:
Another thing to check is proper initial adjustment of the shoes. The adjuster screw needs to be tightened until the shoes very lightly dragon the drum when the brakes are not applied.
…and then you go in the driver's seat and stomp HARD on the brake pedal and repeat the adjustment until the brakes drag very lightly, then stomp HARD and repeat until there's no longer any difference before/after stomp. Then you back off the adjuster 9 notches, and then you're done adjusting that wheel's brake.
Author:  Reed [ Sun Oct 29, 2023 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Drum brake question
Quote:
Quote:
Another thing to check is proper initial adjustment of the shoes. The adjuster screw needs to be tightened until the shoes very lightly dragon the drum when the brakes are not applied.
…and then you go in the driver's seat and stomp HARD on the brake pedal and repeat the adjustment until the brakes drag very lightly, then stomp HARD and repeat until there's no longer any difference before/after stomp. Then you back off the adjuster 9 notches, and then you're done adjusting that wheel's brake.
I used to just find a deserted hill and backed down it, repeatedly applying the brakes. That did the trick if the adjusters were all working. I got my old 64 Valiant Signet with the original four wheel drum brakes stopping pretty good.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Oct 29, 2023 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Drum brake question
'64 was the first year for automatic adjusters; the '63s were still manual.
Author:  MDchanic [ Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Drum brake question
Quote:
The brake hoses can also deform inside causing a restriction or a "magic check valve" effect. Unlikely and rare, but it can cause havoc and a misdiagnosis.
The following is a mostly irrelevant comment, so my apologies in advance:

This phenomenon is common on some older German cars, especially Mercedes of the '50s-'60s.
The construction of the brake hoses was such that their inner layer(s) would absorb brake fluid over time and swell, creating a restriction that would pass brake fluid at a thousand psi, but would not allow its return at drum-brake spring pressure.

Thus, if you have an old Mercedes that's been sitting a while, and it won't move (and you can't get the drums off because the shoes are pressed against them), the solution is to snip all of the brake hoses with a pair of dikes.
Or maybe loosen all of the bleeders, if you're the clever sort.

Just something to keep in the back of your mind when encountering brake problems...

- Eric
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