Parking brake drum problem (1 Viewer)

[40Flipper]

To start- I own a 1974 FJ55 with a 1978 2F and 4 speed driveline

I've replaced the shoes on the parking brake drum. Old ones were shot, non functional and coated with 20 years of grease.

Problem is I can't get the parking brake drum cover back onto the rear of the xfer case spline. I have the pads and the assembly in place but the pads won't fit inside the drum.

I slide the drum on but the pads are too spread out and hit the inner edge of the cover so the cover remains 2 inches out from it's proper resting spot.

Can't tell if the auto parts store sent me the wrong size pads? I feel the drum should just slide on easily. the pad and spring assembly as it is mounted is a bit loose but this doesn't really explain it.

I have the adjuster set to the tightest setting so the adjuster isn't the problem.

Thinking I just have the wrong pads though they look similar to the ones nthat were on it (I threw out the old ones.

Anyone have any ideas? I've spent 3 hours on a 5 minute step and I'm pissed off at this point. Thanks in advance!

 

[grant5127]

Damn.. never was able to source shoes from a parts store before...... which one??....
Post up a pic.........

 

[40Flipper]

Don't remember. The part code printed on the pads themselves is"ak la510 brake pad" I googled the code and came up empty.

Honestly don't remember where I bought them. They seem to be a very close fit though, just a little too big.

Hoping I can figure this out before I break down and get ones from SOR.

 

[grant5127]

You posted that the adjuster is at tightest setting? Surely loosest don't you mean?? What about the cable, fully backed off??

 

[40Flipper]

I disconnected the cable and turned the adjuster about a million times and it still doesn't fit. But yes, loosest is what I meant

i should also mention that the parking brake has never worked since I've owned it. All the parts are there according to 2 different repair manuals

 

[grant5127]

So, any chance the adjuster is flipped opposite from the way it should be and the hex shaft that sticks through the backing plate hits the side of the hole not allowing the hole mess to center itself?

 

[lc69hunter]

Post pics. I have worked on mine several times over the years, and can eyeball what may be wrong.

 

[40Flipper]

pics!

here we go.....thanks for the help guys.

 

[grant5127]

upside down pics.....

The left shoe is not seated properly.........

 

[grant5127]

Right side up........

Fixed it.........

 

[middlecalf]

The bud man, er PBR man, has it. You need get that left pad down so its round notch is centered on the round peg - it'll fit after that.

 

[40Flipper]

so do I need to switch the springs around or pull the mechanisms out and re-align? I suck at wrenching so....

 

[grant5127]

The adjuster looks cockeyed.... is it in the shoe slot??........ the shoe looks to be too high, can't push it down a bit??

 

[40Flipper]

the adjuster does sit a bit loose. the entire mechanism set up seems to be sagging a bit as well. Not sure if that's due to my springs being too stretched out

 

[grant5127]

s***!!

I thought something was screwy (need to back-off on the PBR)........ the levers are on wrong.. should be on the back side.........

 

[40Flipper]

You're right. I pulled it all apart a few times and thought I had it back together right. Bingo.

man, I suck at wrenching. Thanks!

 

[Poser]

So did you turn the backing plate over and route the parking brake cable down the right side of the car as it was from the factory, as well as fix everything else in those pictures?

 

[John Smith]

So did you turn the backing plate over and route the parking brake cable down the right side of the car as it was from the factory, as well as fix everything else in those pictures?

Exactly, The pictures are not upside down. The entire assembly is installed upside down onto the back of the transfer case.

 

[40Flipper]

SO I've completely fixed all the issues in the photo to match the photo that was posted. The mechanisms seem to fit better. FJ55 has the assembly upside down as the cable runs down the passenger side where the 40 series has it running under the other side

Problem is the brake pads STILL won't F-ing fit inside the drum cover. They are too wide all around and the back cover will not slide on. I can't remember where I bought them but I think it was the auto parts store down the street. I can't see how they could be for a different truck or transmission but the square peg isn't fitting into the round hole as they say.

Guess I should just buy a set from SOR and be done with it. Very pissed off

 

[40Flipper]

Had a beer and went back down.

Figured out the parking brake cable is frozen so it won't allow the shoes to seat properly on the pivot point. Just need to replace the cable. PITA anyway