Replaced rear shoes, but then ....

[afsigma21]

Replaced the rear shoes, let the car sit for a few days while I worked on other stuff.

I went to drive it today and the brakes felt like they were totally locked. Hard to get out of the driveway. Drove around the block and seemed to ease up, but I do feel like I smelled burning.

I had to set the adjuster all the way to down to get the drum back on... I thought the rears were self adjusting, when you backed up.

Just looking for a confirmation that what I experienced is normal and that a little burning on new shoes is normal.

Thanks!

[1Gary]

I got a series of questions for you to consider:

Is the e-brake stuck on?.

Was there a lip on the drums?.

Did you turn the drums?.

Did you seat the shoes on the top pin and on the equalizing bar?

Did you buy a new spring kit?.

Did you lube the contact points on the backing plate?.

Are you sure you have the primary and seondary shoes in the right place?.

I wouldn't think you could do that,but I had to ask

Is both sides locked up the same?.

Have you double checked the part numbers for the right shoes?.

The adjustment should be only a drag and not locked up.

One guess would be the return springs are not on right or came off.


Best guess is one of the return springs came loose.

[chevymaher]

Did they stop the smell immediatly.Like the second time you drove it if not Garys concerns are very valid.I used to work in shop and after a brake job we would go out and get going a few times and stand on the brakes to seat them and get a proper wear pattern started.They would smell at fiirst.If you had new rotors or drums they would smoke to.Then after they cooled they should never do it again unless there a problem.Thats one of the reasons we seated them customers would get kinda panicky when thier new brake job smoked and smelled as soon as they left.The smoking from new rotors and drums caused by coating put there to stop rust.It burns off when you first use them.

[afsigma21]

Let me answer the questions I can.


New springs? yes
New Shoes? yes
New Drum? No. The existing drum was like new, no lip or anything. In fact, it was probably a waste of time to even do a brake job. the old shoes looked almost new. But since I already had the parts, I went ahead and replaced them.

Brake shoes are correct and in the right place.

I didnt lube anything, probably should have.

It is only the passenger side.

I only drove for literally .2 miles. It was late and I did not feel like tearing anything apart last night. It seemed to be almost fine by the time I got back. I will drive a little longer today and see what happens, if there is more issues I will report back.

Thanks

[afsigma21]

OK, went out for a longer drive today, about 1 mile to the interstate, 2 miles on then 6 miles off back home.

Varying speeds from 25 to 75, mostly 50's. Quite a few stop signs to my house.

It did nto feel like the brakes were on and I thought it all seemd ok, pedal was smooth and it seemed to stop normally.

No real burning smell, faint if at all.

HOWEVER.

I got back and wondered how hot the brakes got. Threw some snow on the pasenger side and it INSTANTLY steamed and boiled. lots of snow and lots of steam ASAP.

Went to the other side and did same, melting snow, but no boiling steam.

The passenger side is significantly hotter, but is it TOO hot?


Gonna go pull the drum off tomorrow and take a pic. I have Monday to fix it, then we are getting snow for 2 days, so who knows when after that.

Hopefully some of you can help me out tomorrow!

[chevymaher]

yes it seems to hot.something sticking.try ajusting them down a little more.but it sounds like the slave cylinder stickin open causing brakes to drag.hose everything down with brake cleaner and try to ajust them again.check return spings maybe one is hanging up.forward brake is pulled into drum by rotation so if spring not pulling it off correctly it will drag enough to cause heat.

[afsigma21]

All is right with the world...

I pulled the drum today and realized I had not adjusted the brakes all the way "down".

Did that then had my wife push on the pedal to see the action, springs working as expected. Put the drum back on, went on much easier this time, took it for a test drive and it felt right. checked heat and it was normal too.

I just had it set too tight!

thanks for the help and pointing me in the right direction of things to test out!

[1Gary]

Good you found it.Yep,those things happen to all of us.