ok, my brakes have been messed up since i got my truck(they lock up easy)so today they started draging really bad, so i put new shoes on it(only the rear are messed up)now they don't lock up but the right rear feels like it is draging still. i noticed the shoes are 2 different thicknesses, on the left i have the thick one in front and it dosen't drag, on the right i have the thin one on front and it drags. Does it matter which way they go on??? any other ideas?

 

Yes, it matters what order they go in. But off-hand I can't remember if the thinner one goes forward or rearward. Sorry.

 

Looking at my Haynes manual it appears that the thinner goes to the front.

cpnhgnjnky

 

Also replace the springs with new ones. After time they wear out, and can cause alot of problems.

cpnhgnjnky

 

Check the self-adjusters. I have seen them installed backwards, so that they tighten with each braking.

Winford

 

yeah it is important which ones go in the front, but I forget which way. Best bet is to check a manaula or hope one of the guys knows for sure. The different thickness shoes are part of the self actuating/energizing brake system if I recall my reading. By having different thickness shoes, when the brakes are applied, the difference in thickness causes the shoes to kind of push themselves out harder agaisnt the drum. When the brakes are released, the difference causes them to retract more completely.

If you get the shoe in the wrong way, then the opposite happens, ie they drag. Don't quote me on this. It is a foggy memory dragged up through my mind of how brakes work and why the shoes are different thickness, from old reading. And BTW the adjuster being in backwards will also cause the problem, but it will get worse with more miles and it can be a beach to remove.(Uh, I have done this before on a Datsun, and it was a beach)

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Jim, i did a break job on my datsun not to long agon, but it's a 280z4wheel disc, much easyier than drums IMHO. the adjusters aren't in backwards but the shoes are for now, the shoes are the samedistance apart on both sides i think the right drum might be outta round, goin o check both of them latter today, also will the truck be fine if i unplug the rear ABS??

 

well the parking brake cable froze in the on postion, i cut the cable off(for now) so i go my truck back.

 

I missed something...

Why would you unplug the ABS? Most ABS systems have a "limp home" mode. If the sensors fail the ABS system will revert to plain old fashioned braking mode, ie the brakes can lock up(just like the good old days) and I think they might not apply as much pressure. You will still have almost normal braking capability except under a hard lockup condition. But once again don't quote me on this, I am NOT a brake expert, I have just done a lot of brake jobs on my own cars and haven't killed myself yet.

I don't think the ABS system will actively cause the brakes to drag. The sensors will just be ignored if they fail.

One other thing to look into... alot of us forget to lubricate the metal sliding parts in the brake system. You need to lubricate the pivot points and metal friction points where the shoes slide against the backing plate. Use a high temperature brake grease. Also it is a good idea to use new springs when you do a brake job. Old springs do get tired after enough miles.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson