Brake problem question

Fred K-OR

Fred K-OR

Well-known member
My right front wheel brake will grab and squeal. It has been doing it since I rebuilt all the brakes. I have cast iron drums, when I rebuilt I put in all new parts (after market). I tried adjusting it a number of times. What it the typical cause of this problem? I took off the hub today and it seemed like it was wearing more on the "top" of the shoes. Everything seemed to be installed correctly. Could it be---shoes not centered, rods not the right length, or ????

Would appreciate some ideas for this guy that knows little about this sort of thing. Thanks.
 
try to back off on the adjusting bolt, it may be to tight on that wheel. you can do this with the wheel on and jacked up. spin the wheel while adjusting it until it backs off. leave a little drag on it but not much.
 
30modelA said:
try to back off on the adjusting bolt, it may be to tight on that wheel. you can do this with the wheel on and jacked up. spin the wheel while adjusting it until it backs off. leave a little drag on it but not much.
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Thanks, I did try that. And I went and re-adjusted all the brakes like Andrews suggested. But it still had the problem. So after that I did back it off a bit and it still had the problem even when I backed it off quite a bit. So I am confused as you can see.
 
A suggestion:

Remove the drum and sand the inside diameter if the drum. Sand the shoes as well. It should remove the squeal. However, if the linings are hard composit it will likely return after a number of miles.

The shoes that Mel Gross supplies are a soft composit and don't seem to develope that problem.

Tom Endy
 
If everything on the backing plate is in good shape and as it should be, then the problem shouldn't be to big.. I line the drum with sand paper and sand the shoes to fit the drum..Then sand or file a taper/chamfer on the ends of the shoes to help eliminate them from grabbing the drum.. As 30 mentioned adjust the shoes with the rod unhooked until they just barely 'scrub', then work the brake lever several times and check that adjustment again.. It may take a couple tries to get it where you want it.. Then adjust the brake rods with an adjustment board.. I'm assuming the drums and shoes are nice and clean..
 
Thanks guys. I will have to try some of these ideas. I kind of think maybe the problem is as Patrick mentioned above or it could be the shoes are not centered.

The wife and I are going on a 100 mile drive tomorrow so will have to wait. It is a country drive so maybe not to many characters will pull out in front of us so I have to cram on the brakes.
 
I had the same squeal problem on the front drums on my 30 Coupe. I have steel original drums. The lining on the shoes was bonded and rather hard. I used my Amco Arc Machine and arc the shoes to each front drum. This did not solve the squeal. I relined some shoes with some soft wolven lining, arc the shoes, and this solved the squeal problem.

Ron
 
I have wolven lining but could try to arc the shoes again along with checking to see if the shoes are centered.
 
1931 flamingo said:
Before going to the trouble and expense of re-arcing the shoes I would try centering what I had. JMO
Paul in CT
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Paul, I think you may be correct. Now have to figure out how to get this done. I understand someone in out club has a tool. So maybe the best way to do it would be to take the backing plate with everything on it to his place and check it out.
 
Fred K-OR said:
Paul, I think you may be correct. Now have to figure out how to get this done. I understand someone in out club has a tool. So maybe the best way to do it would be to take the backing plate with everything on it to his place and check it out.
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Ummm that won't work as you center everything to either the spindle or axle. You'll have to take the whole car to him or borrow the tool.
 
Fred, on the 31 sedan I owned I had a grabbing in the right front. I had the simple floaters the suppliers sell and the centering pin was a bit too long and caused a hangup in one shoe. Don't know if you have this setup. I ground a bit off the pin length and it solved the grabbing problem. Check also to see if you have grease on the lining.
 
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