wtf am i doing wrong with these brakes?

[JimD]

Primary shoe isnt engaging.. if you will....the wheel cyl correctly.
I do quite a few a month and i despise them.

[mstng86]

You may not want to here this nowww but last time I just changed a wheel cylinder on a car I cheated. I unhooked the two springs at the top and the little cable. Then I just grabbed the shoes at the top and pulled them apart. Replaced the cylinder, slapped both shoes back together at the top, attached the cable and springs and I was done. Just for next time. Also did you grease up your adjuster at the bottom. If I am pulling that piece I will take it apart, clean it good, then grease the threads up and put it back together. It is very important that it turns easy. Just a light coat of grease on the threads.

Everything is all new. I verified I have the right springs too. I took it apart and really started wondering if the emergency brake was not in the rear brake pad. I cant twll by my pics though. i am going to be an expert after how many times I have messed with this.

[71chevellejohn]

I looked through my computer and photobucket, but I guess I never took pics of mine when I had it apart.

If needed, I can pull a wheel off of my 87 and take a pic. It will be tomorrow though, since my car is at my shop.

Let me know if you think it will help.

[psdtech]

where the fuck are you at? this has been wearing me the fuck out. pm me and i'll come fix it. it has to be something stupid

[Rick Modena]

The left shoe is not inserted correctly, just look at the right one and you can see where it is not inserted like the right one.

[kingjason]

The left shoe is not inserted correctly, just look at the right one and you can see where it is not inserted like the right one.

I think it starts off lined up and when he tries to snap it together it pops off one side or the other. Thats why I think he has the e-brake rod thingy on it wrong. If not seated in the little grove right it will do this. If you look at his right side you can see where the shoe touchs the e brake rod thingy it is at full contact and the shoes are still way to far apart. I agree if he was close this would have already been fixed. LOL It could be something else but its hard to diagnose from a pic without wiggling the damn shoes around in my hands.

At least I hope he knows that shoe is riding high and not seated.

[mstng86]

Everything is on correct now. I am thinking the e brake cable still had tension in it even with the handle down. I messed with it for 3 hours and got no where. I am in forney. I am going to tear down the console and try to adjust the cable and see if that makes a difference. I know I tightened it years ago when the handle wasn't working. I could have over adjusted it back then and now it has too much tension.


Fuck I dunno.

[kingjason]

[kingjason]

Everything is on correct now. I am thinking the e brake cable still had tension in it even with the handle down. I messed with it for 3 hours and got no where. I am in forney. I am going to tear down the console and try to adjust the cable and see if that makes a difference. I know I tightened it years ago when the handle wasn't working. I could have over adjusted it back then and now it has too much tension.


Fuck I dunno.

Yeah that could do it. With new shoes it needs backed off.

[mstng86]

It looks just like that diagram and like the passenger side. Basically, when I try to center them and put pressure on the secondary shoes it knocks the primary out of place. Which now that I have thought about it, it makes sense now that the cable is too engaged still. The bar that runs straight across also is pressed by the parking break lever, which probably is pulled too far inside.

[ELVIS]

note to self........NEVER ride in mstng86 car. good luck man.

god bless.

[mstng86]

note to self........NEVER ride in mstng86 car. good luck man.

god bless.

Ha, it's got to get out of the garage first.

You don't NEED both rear brakes, do you ? LOL

[JimD]

The left shoe is not inserted correctly, just look at the right one and you can see where it is not inserted like the right one.

Thats basically what i tried to say above also, put the shoe in place and all the other shit will fall in place.

[46Tbird]

Stop worrying about pinching your fingers. Manhandle that left shoe into position by pushing it into place, while keeping the right shoe where it is.

It seems obvious to me that you just don't have it lined up yet. DO NOT adjust your e-brake until you at least have the shoes centered in the backing plate and on the mount pads.

You say you have "compared it to the other side and it look the same" to you... but there is no f'ing way. I guarantee the side you left together has the shoes meeting up at the top center. Look how ridiculously far off it is in your pics. Try again.

[46Tbird]

Here, I outlined in yellow the place where the drum needs to go. Your shoes will have to be centered in the backing plate to allow it.