Drum will not go back on

I have a 2009 Tacoma 4x4 and I hate drum brakes. I can't get the drum back on. I replaced the shoes and cylinder and adjuster. The adjuster is all the way down but the shoes won't go down. I bleed the cylinder. The E brake is off. I used a clamp to try to pull the shoes closer together... I've cussed it. I can not get the stupid drum back on. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

You're sure the new brake cylinder is compressed all the way in? Is the drum fetching up on the pads, or something else?

 

Check the bell cranks on the back side of the brake back plate.
The stop screw should be touching the brake back plate.

 

I thought the cylinder was pressed all the way in. The drum hits the new shoes. It looks like I could get it on if she shoes would go in just a hair. I'm going to try this diagram and instructions Back Dog Lila attached.

 

Did you get new drums? The rust lip on the inboard section of the drum is raised and may not allow the drum to clear the shoes. So you may need sand down that lip, have the drums resurfaced (many auto parts stores can do it, if you trust them or repair shops will sometimes do it as well if you bring them in) or get new drums.

I'm slightly confused about how you bled the wheel cylinders. You shouldn't have been able to bleed them with the drums off since there's nothing stopping the wheel cylinder pistons from overextending and popping out. If one of the pistons overextended it may be stuck and won't allow the shoes to fully compress the piston. It should be equal amounts of piston extension on both the forward and aft piston.

 

Did you get the new springs on wrong it is easy to do

Sounds like the shoes are not seated on the backing plate correct .

 

If you are still having trouble, take a photo and maybe someone can spot the problem.

 

I didn't get new drums. I just got back from having the old ones turned. I will need to replace one. Still they will not go on. Bleeding was the wrong term. I squeezed the cylinder as far as I could with my finger and thumb with the valve open. It compressed but still wouldn't allow the drum to go back on.

 

I did see yesterday morning that one spring was in the wrong place. I fixed that, unfortunately, it didn't help. I tore everything apart and reinstalled it. It seems seated to me, still wont go on.

 

Doesn't look like the pistons are all of the way in.

 

The strut bar is not seated in the shoe properly, its too low.

 

Also waaaaay too much grease, it will turn to liquid when hot and get on the shoes

 

You beat me to it with the picture pages.

 

Here is a photo of how that bar should sit over the metal bracket arm thingy bobber.

 

https://youtu.be/3ru8E9iw7nM

 

Soon, what was the corrective action? What did it take to fix it?

Inquiring minds want to know...

 

Still not fixed. I'm really at a loss. I'm going back to it in a few to start over from scratch.