Blew a wheel cylinder R/R while towing. Changed cylinder and shoes. Bled system (but not RABB?) to no bubbles. Adjusted star wheel for no drag and started to tow.

Seemed like there was a drag on the truck so I pulled over and felt the drums. They where hot (both sides). Backed out adjuster star wheel some more and continued on. Stopped at friends house for the night and felt drums again. They were still hot.

Question 1- seems to me that if the shoes are not touching the drums the drums should not get hot - right?

Questiion 2 - the only way the star wheel adjuster will move is during Park brake operation or by manual adjustment - right?

Question 3 - Any other way for the brake drum to get hot? How to verify?

Trying to get home so I can work on this in a controlled environment.

Thanks again

 

Are the park brake cables releasing all the way? If they get sticky and won't release that will cause a drag.

 

Self adjusters work when you apply the brakes in reverse or you apply the parking brake.

I second E brake cables as a possible cause.

How if the rear differential oil level?
Low oil level could be getting the bearings/hubs hot which in turn is heating up the brake drums.

 

Good point Dave. I am checking/changing out the rear end fluid this weekend, on top of all the braking components.

 

good thought on diff - will check. I thought adjuster worked in reverse and park but was not sure. After backing off adjuster I did not use use either just in case but still got heat in drums. I might be getting paranoid and I guess the heat could have been from the final stoppping in local traffic before I stopped for the night. Will jack up wheel and spin to make sure there is no park brake cable drag.
Thanks again guys - as always

 

Depending on how much weight you are towing and how much of the stopping force is from the trailer, one stop can make the brakes rather hot.