Rear brake adjustment

[jamesc76]

First I have to admit even as a mechanic some times things dont go well!

Bit of back ground as to what I have done:

Right the problem at hand fitted new rear brake shoes, old ones wernt that worn but been on ages and hand brake is cak so new shoes fitted. On putting the new ones on I wound the adjuster out so as the drum only just went on (very slight burr on drum was removed) but I noticed that the access hole for the adjuster was only just in line with the serrated pawl, so tricky to get adjustment tool onto it once drum on.

Once the drum was on I pumped the brake pedal to seat the shoes centrally, but only half pumped the pedal as to not allow the seals to flip etc, I adjusted up the brakes till it rubbed backed of just enough to let the wheel turn with only the slightest of rubs. Fitted the wheels dropped it of the axle stands etc.

Now heres the main problem:

Even before I set off for a lap round the block the brake pedal now goes all the way to the stop and I have to pump the brakes for them to work Thinking it was everything bedding in to place did a quick lap and they have not improved! Once pumped up it will brake really well (loads better than before!)

So if anyone knows what stupid thing I have missed please after taking the pi$$ let me know!

Cheers in advance

James

[Evsi]

I know you shouldn't need to, but have you bled the system? I used to get a similar issue when replacing shoes as air used to bypass the wheel cylinder seals when moving the shoes, just enough to cause a pedal problem. The only other thing i can think of is a worn adjustor causing the shoes to back off.

Hope you fix it, i hate problems like that.

[jamesc76]

Cheers for the reply, found a very small leak on one wheel cylinder, so nipped and got a new one for there, whipped all the brake shoes and springs off and re did um just to be sure all on ok, seams to adjust up better now, just waiting for my missus to help me bleed the brakes! (a nice friend still has my one man bleed kit and cant find it )

[jamesc76]

Yup brakes bled nice pedal now all down to a £9.74 wheel cylinder!

[CovKid]

Not much help now, but if I replace rear brake shoes, I always fit new cylinders. Their life expectancy seems on a par to be honest and who wants to pull the drums off twice. All too often, the mere sight of new shoes sends the cylinders into rapid decline as they tend to get a sudden amount of abuse during the shoe fitting and subsequent settling. Learnt that one the hard way back in the 80s on bugs and bays. Hope it helps someone else. Brakes are one of those areas where you can neither save money or time.

[Evsi]

Glad you got it sorted dude

[jamesc76]

Cheers Cov and Evsi, yeah should have known summit else would want to be changed rather the be left out ! Least my local motor factors had just the one in stock and its only 20 mins drive to get it !

[jamesc76]

Just took the van for a quick blast round the block (was trapped on the drive last nigt !) wow the brakes are good now!!!

[CovKid]

Don't forget to jack the rear wheels up again after a week or so and re-adjust shoes as they'll settle in and will need bringing out again. To be honest, they're on my priority list before MOTs. I always wind them up just before.