Classic/Antique Car Repair/55 chevy brakes

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Expert: - 3/30/2008


Question
Hi Brad, I replaced the front brake shoes on my 55 chevy, rebuilt the front wheel cylinders, replaced the attaching springs and hardware and after repacking the front wheel bearings and putting the drum back on, I can only spin the drum in the rearward direction. It turn smoothly in the rearward direction. When it starts to turn in the forward direction it seams to hit a very positive stop. This is true on both lh and rh sides. I took the drum back off and looked at my work and everything seams to be in order. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks, Bob

Answer
Boy do I wish that we had two way video on questions like this. So, lets start at the begriming. So the questions. 1. Are the shoes installed so that the long shoe is on the back of each wheel and the short shoe on the front? Did you put the shoes in the drum before installing them to check the width and the radius of the shoes? Did you use new hardware, springs and such? Have you checked to be sure that the lug studs are pressed all the way into the hub?
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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