Brake Drums

Hi there! I'm new to this website. I got a problem that's been bothering me for quite sometime now. I put new brake drums, brake shoes and the springs that comes with the shoes. My uncle did all of it, and everything was fine. But every time I engage my parking brake, my driver side keeps self tightening itself to the point it shakes my whole truck. My passenger side is fine it's just my drivers side drum and my wheel gets really hot too. I really need some help to fix this!! Thanks

 

I doubt there is any 'self adjusting' going on.

Much more likely that the ebrake on that side is not releasing.

Disassembly/inspection and likely cleaning/lubing/repair of the ebrake mechanism is in order.

Get to it soon, or you'll ruin those new shoes/drum. Not to mention killing your power and MPG.

 

You think so? My uncle would adjust them right and if I use my e brake at all, it just keeps on getting tighter and tighter and tighter

 

Doesn't matter too much. Disassembly is required to diagnose. These aren't complicated systems, shouldn't be hard to ferret out.

But sitting here behind the keyboard I can't quite picture what would keep 'self adjustment' going.

 

Okay! Thanks! I'll take it to a very good shop by me and see if they can help me figure it out

 

I wonder if your Uncle lubed and made sure the Bell Cranks were free.

In any case it should come apart to see what is going on.

 

Actuation of the e-brake alone is responsible for "self adjustment" of 1st gen rear brakes.
Slop, dirt, e-brake bell crank adjustment and or wear in the adjuster/adjuster arm can allow over tightening.
Usually the symptom is the opposite, poor or no e-brake operation but your case is not uncommon.

 

Which is the "bell crank"? The only thing my uncle lubed up and free up was inside the drum

 

It's inside. In diagrams you may not see it called that, it's often called the adjustment arm or other similar names. Basicly it pivots on a pin when the ebrake is pulled and has a tang that engages the star adjuster. Which BTW, the star should be disassembled, cleaned lubed as well so it rotates freely.

Not saying uncle didn't do all these things. And there could be issue with the cable, adjuster, return springs, etc.

But again, too many bits to give exact internet answer other than 'odds are'. It needs to be examined.

Maybe uncle can help and you watch/learn? Good skill to have, way cheaper than a mechanic for something fairly straightforward.

 

So I went to go check the "bellcrank" the passenger side moves when I pull on it and the driver side doesn't move at all when I pull on it

 

Nice.

Fix that and you'll likely be golden.

 

You found it, outside/inboard of the backing plate.
"Bellcrank" in the diagram below. Also the spec for setting it's travel.

 

hit the bell crank with some PBlaster to loosen it. my driver's side froze up a few years ago and every now and then I have to hit it, literally and with spray, to get it moving. rust is a bitch and since you live in Ohio you know what I mean

 

I hate rust!!! Living in Ohio with a nice truck sucks haha. I'll mostly be fixing that tomorrow. All you guys rock for helping me out! Hopefully this fixes it

 

Thanks guys for all your help! I finally had time to fix it and so far it's working properly!!

 

nice