The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Brake problem

I have a 1965 GMC 3/4 ton long bed. I am putting new wheel cylinder, spring kit and shoes I went to NAPA to get the parts they had no parts listed for GMC but they did have parts listed for 1956 Chev. 3/4 ton which I bought when I got the parts every thing matched and went together without any problem except Now the brake drum will not go on the it seams to be about 1/16" to small to fit over the shoes. I have said all the good words I know but it didn't help.Can anyone give me thought about how to fix

Hy Country Boy, is the adjuster screwed all the way in? Are both of the brake shoes tight against the anchor post at the top of the backing plate?

Yes to both question should 65 chev parts work on 65 gmc I was thinking about having the brake drums turned that should take off enough for the drums to go on

Don't turn the drums whatever you do. If the shoes are centered and against the stop then the shoes are the problem. I would take a shoe and lay in inside a drum to see if the curvature matches.

Do the new shoes match the size and curvature of the old shoes? If so, something is wrong with the installation.

I have an old Napa catalog. It shows the GMC as 13x3 1/2 in. shoes. The part # is 273R or 60R. The Chevy shows 12x2 in. brakes with # 310R shoes.
If you replaced the adjustment screw match it with the old one. I remember some model back then had one longer then the other.

Wrenchbender,
I wish my local NAPA had old NAPA catalogs! The new management ordered them to be thrown out. I guess the dummies which they hire these days can't read a catalog. I don't shop there anymore. I know they have what I need, but they don't have anyone there that knows how to find it.

Country Boy: Lay the shoes and the adjuster in the drum. Just lay them in there with the adjuster in place. If the shoes are too wide they will stick out and you have the wrong ones. If it all fits in then look to see if the curve on the drum and the curve to the shoes match. If that is good measure the gap at the ends where the wheel cylinder fits. Slip the shoes back on the backing plate and measure the gap again. If the gap is the same or smaller then you have an installation problem and will most likely be able to figure it out. 3B has a very good point. Turn that adjuster all the way in. Lube it while it is out and get the threads clean. If the old adjuster is still around put it next to the new one and see if they are the same. On the rear you have the lever and fulcrum that works with the emergency brake cable. That can push the shoes apart at the top if it is installed the wrong way up or in the wrong cut outs. You will get it working I am sure. Don't turn the drums. They are thin to begin with. And turning them might make them crack or warp. I don't know how hard they are to find, but I would bet they will get expensive.