pulling brakes
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 83
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From: rocky mt. nc
pulling brakes
wassup guys, i'm having a problem w/ my front drum brakes. when the brakes are cold the right front tire will grab and lock up if i'm not careful, they will also squeal really loud. once the brakes reach operating temp. the problems go away. i recently replaced the master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake shoes. i tried adjusting the left wheel tighter than the right but it does the same thing. i even checked to see if i had put the shoes on backwards on one side but they were on correctly. i'm thinking i may have gotten some bad brake shoes ( advance auto 
) but i wanted to get another opinion before i replace them.
) but i wanted to get another opinion before i replace them.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 34
From: S/W Virginia
well i believe the short shoe goes to the front, just to make sure thats the way you had them turned.
You may have got some grease or brake fluid or something on the brakes when you were putting them on. Try taking some brake cleaner and spraying on them. Maybe that will fix them. I had a cylinder start leaking on mine once. It made one side start grabbing and stuff. i put some light dust in the drums and it helped a lot to absorb the brake fluid.
You may have got some grease or brake fluid or something on the brakes when you were putting them on. Try taking some brake cleaner and spraying on them. Maybe that will fix them. I had a cylinder start leaking on mine once. It made one side start grabbing and stuff. i put some light dust in the drums and it helped a lot to absorb the brake fluid.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 83
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From: rocky mt. nc
i checked for grease and fluid, i even sanded the shoes just in case there was something in there i didn't see. i can't remember which shoe i put on front but i went by the chilton's manual
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 53,891
Likes: 2,371
From: NY and VA
Sounds like grease or oil, if brake cleaner doesn't work you could try a little heat (gun or hair dryer) I have used a torch in the past... on the shoes. We have also swapped drums L to R to see if there was drum problems, Were the drums turned? they both should be the same diameter.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 1
From: manson
They can be touchy! I have only done drum brakes once..and that was on the front of my 69.. Fortunately the drums were in good shape...but I should have had them turned anyway... But one side insisted on pulling early in the brake pedal stroke. I dinked with them for a while before finally getting them to work together. I was told to jack up the front of the truck...spin the wheel and adjust the brakes out until they start to grab, then back it off a few clicks. Get both sides adjusted the same. It took a few tries but I managed to get it close.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
One thing most guys don't do is replace the shoe spring hardware. You know 30+ yrs. it's time to do it. Turn the drums even if you don't thing it's needed
just to true them up. Do rebuild or replace wheel cyls, repack or replace wheel bearings and seals. You should replace rubber brake line to wheel cyls if they have cracks in them. Put drum on adjust wheel bearing lock nut. Adjust shoes to drum so it will not turn easy then do the other wheel the same. Bleed system. reCheck and readjust till shoe stops drum from turning, Now back off 3-4 clicks and recheck foot pedal. This should be all good to go now. Don't forget to check rear shoes do as needed and adjust them up while your working on the brakes.. YEP, SHORT SHOE UP FRONT
iF it's grabbing you better find out what why real soon, if it's making noises you better pull it down and check the side of the shoes for ware from the drum, Maybe the wheel bearing is not adjusted right. my 2cent
orich
just to true them up. Do rebuild or replace wheel cyls, repack or replace wheel bearings and seals. You should replace rubber brake line to wheel cyls if they have cracks in them. Put drum on adjust wheel bearing lock nut. Adjust shoes to drum so it will not turn easy then do the other wheel the same. Bleed system. reCheck and readjust till shoe stops drum from turning, Now back off 3-4 clicks and recheck foot pedal. This should be all good to go now. Don't forget to check rear shoes do as needed and adjust them up while your working on the brakes.. YEP, SHORT SHOE UP FRONT
iF it's grabbing you better find out what why real soon, if it's making noises you better pull it down and check the side of the shoes for ware from the drum, Maybe the wheel bearing is not adjusted right. my 2cent
orich
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Got a question, Did you check your rear brakes? Sometimes that will cause the action described.
John
John
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 83
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From: rocky mt. nc
thanx for all the info guys. i've had this problem for quite a while but it seems to be worse lately. i thought it was because of a leaking wheel cylinder. i replaced the wheel cylinders and shoes but it didn't help the pulling problem all that much. i plan to pull it down tomorrow and check out some of your ideas.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Ok, you better check the back, a bad right rear brake will make it pull to the left.And In (most)cases same for the front.. Also check for a warped drums. spin it and watch the run out of it or a bent hub this will make a shoe rub on the side of it and made a grinding noise 
. my 2cent
orich
. my 2centorich
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
depending on the severity of the pull, it might be a bad brake hose, a crimped or crushed brake line, or even a suspension problem. Pulling and noises can be a really hard thing to diagnose.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 83
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From: rocky mt. nc
i think i found the problem, it was a bad inner wheel bearing on one side. i replaced it and it seems to have solved the problem. thanx for all the help. i never thought a wheel bearing would have caused a problem like that.