The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Drum brakes seating

I just finished putting new brake shoes and hardware on the rear of my 58 3400 3/4. The problem is that the brake shoes are not seating on the top pin. It seems the top springs should pull them in all the way. I can fit the drum over the brakes and it is tight. Could I get some advice on what's normal and what's not? Thanks

Check the parking brake linkage- - - -that problem is usually caused by sticky brake cables not letting the park brake hardware retract fully or incorrect assembly of the parking brake system.
Jerry

I took pics before I took everything apart. I believe I got it back together the same way. Does anyone have a diagram or pic for comparison?

If there is a cable from inside the cab to a Y-shaped second cable going to the rear hubs? If so, there's a threaded adjusting nut on the forward cable end. Loosen that nut several turns to be absolutely sure the linkage inside the drums isn't being held partially applied.

Ok, I will take a look at that. I know I had the e cable pretty tight when the brake problem started.

Well it didn't seem to be the cable. I noticed with the drum off the rear pad raises off the pivot the most. When I pulled the e brake and released it, the shoes did not come back into place (rear again). I'm expanding the star wheel as much as possible to seat the shoes to see if that works.

I'm going back to Jerry's idea about the e brake. Seems like a good source to revisit.

You need to back off the adjustment on the Ebrake cable. Or disconnect them till you get everything else adjusted. You may have to pry back on the lever that the cable hooks to at the brake shoe. We are assuming you o-hauled or replaced the wheel cylinders. If not they may be binding. Leave the star adjusters baked off. The shoes need to seat on the anchor pin. Put the drums on then adjust the star adjuster to get a heavy drag & back off about 6 notches. Adjust the cable to get the proper feel at the emergency brake handle.

Tried all suggestions & shoes still won't seat all the way on the pin.

Do you have the right shoes? It's possible a parts guy might have punched a wrong computer key somewhere! Compare them to the shoes you removed, paying particular attention to the position of holes, spring mounting points, etc.
Jerry

Parts store has old shoes-core exchange.

I think I have 12 x 2 shoes. It looks like 3400 takes 11 x 1 3/4. Can anyone confirm?

Measure the dia meter & the wear surface on the drum. If that was the case you couldn't be that close. There should be some freeplay in the crossbar..
Do you have the shoe with the short lining in the front? Maybe you could post a photo of the brake assembly.
George

Here is a video of the brakes being pumped a few times then ebrake pulled &: released. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...otif_id=1557267476707537&ref=m_notif

Driving van for business today & did not have very good braking. Pedal almost to the floor. I guess I'll adjust the star wheel again & see what happens. I bought the 11 inch shoes, but I don't think they will work any better.

I suggest that you take the truck to a reputable brake repair shop to get to the bottom of your troubles. A '59 is modern enough that they will have no problem at all at getting you back on the road and safe.
I like to do my own repairs as much as possible, but when we are talking about brakes, a guy needs to have those 100% right.
Carl