Brake chatter

JtownJoe

Senior Member
I put Flat Head Ted's floaters on all 4 wheels & did complete brake job on all 4 wheels & brakes are fantastic, stops as well as any juice brakes would with nice full pedal and very little effort, but I have one issue. It has strong brake chatter especially when applied for the first few stop (still cold) it does get better after they heat up, but will start up again after a few miles if I don't brake for a while. I disconnected the linkage one wheel at a time & narrowed the source down to the drivers side rear wheel. Before I tear it all down is there any suggestions on the likely cause & what in particular to look for? Sorry for the long post, just trying to provide all relevant info.
 
In assuming (I know) you had the shoes arc ground, you might try chamferring the leading and trailing edges of that drum shoe combo (LR). JMO
PAUL IN ct
 
I put Flat Head Ted's floaters on all 4 wheels & did complete brake job on all 4 wheels & brakes are fantastic, stops as well as any juice brakes would with nice full pedal and very little effort, but I have one issue. It has strong brake chatter especially when applied for the first few stop (still cold) it does get better after they heat up, but will start up again after a few miles if I don't brake for a while. I disconnected the linkage one wheel at a time & narrowed the source down to the drivers side rear wheel. Before I tear it all down is there any suggestions on the likely cause & what in particular to look for? Sorry for the long post, just trying to provide all relevant info.

Joe,
I asked similar question in recent past. I have the original drums on the rear..where chattering takes place when COLD, as you described. I have the original brass(?)impregnated woven lining, all parts new. Of interesting note, I have the newer drums on both front corners..no chattering. I will switch to the new bonded lining if I ever wear out these woven linings. But, someone suggested that the woven linging last..a looong time and that's good too:)
A number of guys suggested placing springs/bands and rubber strips around the chattering drum to mitigate the noise oscillation/whatever. Haven't tried it yet, might work for you/me..
 
Thanks for the feedback. I do have a pair of the brake drum bands & I will try them on the back to see if it might help. Thanx again, Joe
 
Even if the shoes are arced to match the drum, they may not be mounted on exactly the same running center. Can you pull the hub and drum, and put on a hub with no drum? Make an indicator rod, attached to the hub, and rotate it around the shoes to see if you are on the same center. The ideal way to arc shoes is with a grinder mounted on the axle/ spindle, but that doesn't happen. The assumption is the arcing machine and the backing plate hold the shoes in the same position, but they never do. Have another pair of shoes? (brake, not gym!) Try 'em.
 
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