Squeaking Brakes

If the linings are glazed then run some 80 grit sandpaper over them. Check to see that the leading and trailing edges of the linings are slightly beveled. Put sidewalk caulk on the linings and turn the wheels with the brakes applied. Where there is still caulk the shoes are not in contact. If not uniform contact, arc the shoes to fit the drums by sanding off the high spots.
 
Of course, Model A brakes are not supposed to squeak. But we've all had ones that did. If for some reason sanding the brake shoe linings and brake drum surfaces don't help, as well as ensuring that no sharp edges on the linings are digging into the drums, there is a spray available that is supposed to stop squeaking brake drums. It's called "Squeak-No-Mor" or "Squeal-X" or something clever like that. I tried it 20+ years ago in a Model A, whose brakes I could not stop from squealing. It worked for quite some time before I needed to apply a new coat of the spray. I still don't know why those brakes would squeal, no matter what I did. 'Never did find out why. 'Must have been something simple I overlooked. This is one of those unresolved repair nightmares that continues to haunt me.
Marshall
 
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When i put my Cast drums on, I used my old woven shoes because they were still in good shape. They squealed like a pig. I put a set of Randy's shoes on it and that rectified that. (That is what I get for being cheap).
 
goodcar said:
No problem stopping. Yes they squeak backing.
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The front drums are the easiest to remove. Pull them and see how the shoes look. Rough them up and check the hubs.

Put back together and see if that has made a difference.

If so you can move on to the rear.

I have had the same experience. Worked for me.

Good luck 👍
 
Here is the science. The squeaking is caused by high frequency grabbing and letting go of the lining on the brake shoes. This frequency just happens to match the natural resonance of the system.

Update: As Big Hammer talked about below, some sort of dampening would help. The springs wrapped around the drums is one possible solution. The grooves is another possible fix. Going to another lining material, like the one Randy Gross supplies, is another fix. Either the grab/release has to be stopped or the natural frequency of the brake system has to be changed or dampened.
 
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Some moderns have a spring wrapped around the drum , brake lathe have a band to wrap around the drum while cutting that maybe leather ?! I’ve thought about using a screen door spring and wrap around the drum ?! I tried using RTV on the shoes but that experiment failed . When I backup braking no noise and if I hold the pedal down backing going forward I get a couple of noiseless stops . I paid good money for the woven fiber with the copper wire , brand new along with new iron drums . Tapering the shoe ends was only a temporary fix , taking the drums off , dropping them on the ground and cleaning the backing plates, shoes , springs , etc is also a temporary fix . One last tought wonder if groves cut across the shoe faces would help, 2 or3 perpendicular on the shoe ?
 
I would bevel the leading and trailing edges of each shoe. Most all of the time that will fix it, if not try new shoes or linings. As nkaminar said above ,high frequency grabbing or chatter of the break shoes
 
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