Joined: Tue Oct 06 2009, 09:37AM
Location: Paris, KY
Posts: 1496
I put the new front drums on the VIP today. Got the old lug studs out without any damage at all which was a good thing as it turned out the Auto Zone lug studs were not surprisingly, the wrong part. Put the old studs back in, and everything back together. Took the car for a test drive/break in procedure for the new drums and found that the original knocking symptom completely disappeared to be replaced by shuddering and noise equally from both front drums. I assume this is because I re-used the old studs or is there something else I should have done instead that I missed/messed up? !stars
The other issue is probably the result of a stuck parking brake cable. I came home to find my left rear wheel smoking. Got the wheel off and let it cool for awhile. I haven't been able to budge the drum. I'm going to let it cool off overnight and try again tomorrow.
Joined: Thu Jan 20 2011, 11:09PM
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 459
Did you have the new drums surfaced/turned? "New drums" doesn't necessarily mean "true". I have learned that new drums can warp on the shelf and should be turned prior to installation. This was even true on my brand new 2008 Silverado. I had a 'shuttering' from day 1 and on the second trip to the dealer they found that the brand new rear drums were warped. <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sat May 21 2011, 11:04AM ]</span>
Joined: Tue Oct 06 2009, 09:37AM
Location: Paris, KY
Posts: 1496
Nessie wrote ... Suggest getting the shoes arched to match the drums as well.
I would love to have that done if there is anyone around here who still does it. So far I have trouble finding anyone who even knows what that is let alone do it. I'll keep trying.
Joined: Tue Oct 06 2009, 09:37AM
Location: Paris, KY
Posts: 1496
That was close! I got the parking brake disconnected from the left rear wheel and put back together with a little time to spare before a rather large storm. I think I disconnect from the power and run the battery a bit.
Fortunately, the brake drum and shoes looked okay. I mercifully hadn't gone that far with the brake stuck. <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sat May 21 2011, 03:35PM ]</span>
Joined: Tue Oct 06 2009, 09:37AM
Location: Paris, KY
Posts: 1496
I'm taking the new drums to Ashley's Wheel & Brake just a few blocks from where I work in Lexington. After talking with them, they think the new drums just need turning. Their prices seem in line with everyone else around here but they do nothing but wheels and brakes so I'm going to give them a try. There's a place called Duff's that has been around since 1952 and I called them to find out their brake guy who had worked for them for decades just retired. He would have been the guy to arch my brake shoes. Definitely a dwindling knowledge base when it comes to working on the old stuff.
Joined: Tue Oct 06 2009, 09:37AM
Location: Paris, KY
Posts: 1496
I got my new drums back today and put them on the VIP and adjusted the shoes a bit and took her out for a test drive. Success! !banana !driving The knocking noise disappeared, no shudder. The right brake caught just a bit before the left brake did so I think I need to fine tune the left side a very slightly more but on the test drive I was able to panic stop with confidence.
The beauty of these brakes is that I have just enough more travel on the pedal when stopping compared to my old '67 breathe on the pedal and slam head on the windshield brakes. Might be because I don't have a disc booster on a drum car this time. !stars
Now I need to either get the original cable back to form in releasing or order a new cable. I've disconnected it for now which I don't like doing but at least it can't drag.
Joined: Thu Jan 20 2011, 11:09PM
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 459
Sweet!!! I know what you mean about being afraid of a panic stop! My Fury's brakes were wierd when I got it. So, I took the front drums off and there was old brake residue mixed with brake fluid from a leaky wheel cylinder which made a kind of 'mud'. My theory was that the 'mud' was getting between the shoes and the drum and causing it to grab. I thoroughly cleaned everything and she stops straight now! I'm happy for you!