Redid brakes, drums dont fit

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Obwonkonobe

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I just rebuilt my rear drums with new shoes and springs, and I reused my drums. Now when I go to put the drum on, the shoes won't fit inside it, any thoughts. I measured across my shoes and theyre 2 inches thick
 

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Did you screw the adjusters back in?
 

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Yeah, the adjusters need to be screwed in where there’s almost no resistance. You can do the adjustment procedure once you get it all put back together.
 

Craig 85

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Should look like this.

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HotRodPC

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And be sure to clean those adjuster threads real good and coat the threads with some white lithium grease.

You didn't mix the adjusters up from side to side right? One gets bigger counterclockwise, the other gets bigger counter clockwise, so there is a left and a right on the adjusters.
 

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And be sure to clean those adjuster threads real good and coat the threads with some white lithium grease.

You didn't mix the adjusters up from side to side right? One gets bigger counterclockwise, the other gets bigger counter clockwise, so there is a left and a right on the adjusters.

Lithium grease eh? I'll have to give that a whirl, I've always used anti-seize.
 

Obwonkonobe

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Did you screw the adjusters back in?
Yup the adjusters are all the way in, i used a pretty nice rebuild kit that came with new ones. It all looks right hah

Im starting to think that because im reusing old drums, I have a ridge built up on the outer edge, i ca, feel it with my finger. Im gonna take a flap disk to it tomorrow and get the outer ridge down
 

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Here's what I have. Also at autozone they have multiple shoes available in different sizes. I'm pretty sure I have 2x11 brakes from my measurements, but if anyone knows what the brake options were on a stock 78 half ton short bed, chime on in

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Yup the adjusters are all the way in, i used a pretty nice rebuild kit that came with new ones. It all looks right hah

Im starting to think that because im reusing old drums, I have a ridge built up on the outer edge, i ca, feel it with my finger. Im gonna take a flap disk to it tomorrow and get the outer ridge down
I'd get those drums turned. They only charge $10 a piece around here. Plus you'll have better, longer lasting, brakes.
 

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I thought the se[f-adjusters went on the REAR shoe???
 

Obwonkonobe

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I'd get those drums turned. They only charge $10 a piece around here. Plus you'll have better, longer lasting, brakes.
If I can find prices i will for sure, but ive heard 40 a peice so i may as well replace them at that price
 

Obwonkonobe

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I thought the se[f-adjusters went on the REAR shoe???
The teeth need to face the arm, so it just put it back the way it was.

Anyone ever heard of having to grind down the ridge? If not you're about to in the morning haha
 

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You don't usually have to grind the ridge, but it's not going to do any harm if you do. And I think idahovette is on to something. That whole thing looks backwards. Don't trust that the last guy got it right.
 

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Here's what I have. Also at autozone they have multiple shoes available in different sizes. I'm pretty sure I have 2x11 brakes from my measurements, but if anyone knows what the brake options were on a stock 78 half ton short bed, chime on in

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That rear shoe isn't seated properly. Look at the top. That rear shoe isn't isn't sitting right. I have a feeling you need to pull that shoe out of the groove in the backing plate. Pretty sure I see what's wrong, just not sure how to explain it. The rear shoe is your problem unless it's a funky camera angle, but it doesn't appear the top of that shoe is touching the big pin at the top.
 

HotRodPC

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Lithium grease eh? I'll have to give that a whirl, I've always used anti-seize.
I've used it forever and ever. It works good.
 

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