Another brake drum adjusting question

[Fallon 40]

I tend to think that his problem may have been caused by being given 2 DIFFERENT sets of shoes from MAF (a gold-painted set and a black-painted set). While each set was supposed to go on the same axle, I think Ken may have added shoes from different sets on the same axle. And because they are made to different specifications (which is clear from the photos), I'm sure that would cause severe brake imbalance.

So if this has indeed happened - I think "getting matched shoes on the same axle" over-rides all other considerations at the moment.

It is a shame if he has two drums on the same axle and ONLY ONE is turned oversize. But I could probably live with that situation on the back axle.

Gotta rush off to work now.

100% correct!

It only took me 4 ½ hours to break everything down and lay it all out on the garage floor, rearrange the set-up as suggested and get it back together. Not quite as fast as a NASCAR pit crew. I am a rookie and come to find out it really shows here.

Tom was right, I had one gold and one black pair of shoes on each axle. Both gold pairs did not nest in the drum worth a darn. I put both of them on the rear. The two black pairs nested well and they went on the front. I brought home a large dial caliper from work that I could measure the I.D. of the drums.

Two drums were turned very close to one another and the other two drums were close to one another. The machine shop must have matched them but did not tell me. I had one large one and one smaller one on each axle. Mixed up just like the shoes.

I tried my best to make sure I adjusted all eight wheel cylinders the same all the way to where the wheel locked then backed them off a few clicks. This took the longest time of the whole procedure.

Once it was all back together, I took the cruiser for the test drive in the alley and this thing stops on a dime with no wheel pull!
Did a few drives up and down the alley then got brave and went down the hwy.

Got up to 50 mph and got on the brakes pretty hard with no issues of pulling.
Thanks to everyone who posted to this thread and worked this out with me. Everyone had good points that I knew nothing about. I learned more about brakes in the last couple of days than I ever thought I could learn.
I guess that disk brake conversion can wait now!
Ken

 

[lostmarbles]

.....I guess that disk brake conversion can wait now!.......Ken

Cool Ken. - Just what we like ----- A happy ending

Drums actually do have some advantages over discs - For instance they work in a more protected environment so you won't get stones stuck in the lining material (like you do with discs).

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that for my style of driving, I think they're better.

And I always hate to hear the reason for choosing discs over drums as being "because the drums were too hard to set up correctly".

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Hey great news Ken

I learned a lot just reading this, and now I can't wait to do mine...unless your up for it

Now can you guys please help me with my master question?

Again, lots of good stuff in this thread...so I saved it!

 

[Trollhole]

Cool Ken. - Just what we like ----- A happy ending

Drums actually do have some advantages over discs - For instance they work in a more protected environment so you won't get stones stuck in the lining material (like you do with discs).

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that for my style of driving, I think they're better.

And I always hate to hear the reason for choosing discs over drums as being "because the drums were too hard to set up correctly".

First. Ken glad to see you got everything worked out.

Second. Drums have very few advantages over disk.

Drums get wet and some performance is lost.
Drums like to pack with mud and silt and quit working.
Drums require adjusting every 5k - 10k
It takes me about 20 min a side to change out drum pads. Then another 10 min to adjust them.
Drums have to have the cross over line. One more thing that gets damaged.
Bleeding drums is a pain in the ass. Thats 6 nipples to bleed.

Disks have all the advantage
Very little loss of performance when wet.
Mud doesn't bother them
No adjustments
1 hr total to change all four wheels.
1 hose to just one caliper
4 nipples to bleed


That being said I love my 4 wheel drums. Wouldn't change for the world. I have 2 disk brake axles on the shelf to prove it. But it's a daily driver. Have 4wdb on the 40 with 35 and can flat stop on a dime even with them caked with mud.

 

[lostmarbles]

...Second. Drums have very few advantages over disk.
Drums get wet and some performance is lost.
Drums like to pack with mud and silt and quit working.
Drums require adjusting every 5k - 10k
It takes me about 20 min a side to change out drum pads. Then another 10 min to adjust them.
Drums have to have the cross over line. One more thing that gets damaged.
Bleeding drums is a pain in the ass. Thats 6 nipples to bleed.
Disks have all the advantage
Very little loss of performance when wet.
Mud doesn't bother them
No adjustments
1 hr total to change all four wheels.
1 hose to just one caliper
4 nipples to bleed
That being said I love my 4 wheel drums. Wouldn't change for the world. I have 2 disk brake axles on the shelf to prove it. But it's a daily driver. Have 4wdb on the 40 with 35 and can flat stop on a dime even with them caked with mud.

Thanks Marshall.

I have drums - therefore I develop a bias towards them to justify keeping them. This assessment of me (if you were to make it) would have a lot of truth in it. Just as it would have a lot of truth if it were applied to other people concerning many different features that they either "choose to keep" or "fit themselves" relating to their trucks. This is human nature. Most of us take this into account when we listen to what others have to say.

I could counteract some of your points - for instance - I've only ever renewed my linings once during 250,000kms and 27 years' use (and haven't renewed the handbrake lining at all). ------- But there's no point. Because I do know that you're right - Lots of people (perhaps even MOST on MUD) are indeed much better off using discs.

And drums - if they get water/mud inside are well-known to be a real pain in the butt. I couldn't agree more.