Drum brakes

[Jimmy J.]

The brakes are pulling hard left on my 1959 where do i need to look for the cause? Jimmy

[Richard M.]

Re: Drum brakes

Jimmy, New brakes or did this just start happening with old?

It could be:

Adjust left shoes looser.
Arc of shoes not consistent with drums.
Hose is collapsing.
Wheel cylinders mismatched.
Control arm bushings(trunions) worn.
Spindle problem.
Loose wheel bearing.

Rich

[Jimmy J.]

Re: Drum brakes

new brakes, new hose

[Richard M.]

Re: Drum brakes

new brakes, new hose

Ok, then more possible the shoes need to be arc'd to drums. Swap drums and shoes left/right and the rights would pull if so.

Another thought, if new wheel cylinders, could be a problem on left.

On a 61 I restored a few years ago, prior shop rebuilt brakes all around on a body off. Never completed car. I finished it, new master, hard lines. New hoses, wheel cylinders, shoes, springs, bearings, etc already done.

First test ride, pulled right. None of my diagnosis attempts worked, including swapping shoes drums. Still pulled right. Couldn't figure it out. I spent hours on it.

Last resort I pulled wheel cylinders apart. Found different internals. Left spring lighter than right. Pistons same diameter but looked different. Got 2 new cylinders from Napa. Fixed.

Rich

[Harry S.]

Re: Drum brakes

Rich, I agree with the wheel cylinders. Jimmy, check to see if you got brake fluid or grease on the shoes.

[Richard M.]

Re: Drum brakes

Harry, Good idea.

Also heard a old timers suggestion. Put a small amount of powdered graphite on the pulling shoes as a method to help arc the new shoes a bit. It allows them to slip a little and self-form the uneven area of the shoes better.

I've never done this but others say it worked.

Rich

[Thomas H.]

Re: Drum brakes

I chased a pulling situation in my 60 for a while. Did all the things Rich mentioned. Finally replaced the "new" shoes with another brand - problem solved. Side by side the two brands were identical in size and shape but looking closely I noted some discoloration, like a faint stain, in the shoe I removed. I wonder if I some how didn't get something on it during the install - who knows. The new shoes worked and the "old" new shoes went in the can.

Tom

[Jimmy J.]

Re: Drum brakes

Thanks for all the response. I tighten the right front wheel to 4 clicks from a hard drag and the left wheel to 9 clicks. That fixed it. I drove it into town and made several stops. I checked the drums for heat and they were normal. Thanks again Jimmy

[Richard M.]

Re: Drum brakes

Good work. Glad it was the step 1, easiest.

Rich