Hey mates

 

This past Saturday I replaced my old and destroyed rear strut mounts on my 76' Z. While I was there I readjusted the rear drums as they seemed quite loose. Everything seemed fine until later this evening when I went for a cruise. At red lights it seemed that the brakes would stick - car wouldn't move back when the car sat on a slight angle. When I got home the driver's side brake was quite hot to the touch. I've been having issues with these brakes for months now and am really at my whits end. I've adjusted and readjusted these a few times now. I've replaced everything on these but the wheel cylinders and those aren't leaking. Could my master cylinder not be releasing pressure? Would fluid shoot out if when the bleeder was opened if this was the case?

Thanks guys

Jan

I been going through a rear brake problem resolution myself recently. I would check two things, both requiring you remove the drum.

 

First, there are six touch spots on the back plate where the shoes rest. Over time grooves wear into these pads and can cause sticking.

 

Second, the piston assembly has to move left/right on the back plate to accommodate adjustments for wear as well as to allow the shoes to centralize on the drum. The piston assembly should move left or right with a force of 2-7KG or 4.41-15.43 lbs. If the piston is stuck, it will cause a shoe to drag on the drum.

 

If you have trouble removing the drum, you may have over expanded the wear adjuster. If so, move the adjuster lever down and back to release it and then back off the adjuster by turning the adjuster wheel downward. Once you get the drum off, remove, clean and lube the adjuster wheel and screw. Set the screw to show about a 1/4" of threads and re-install. Put the adjusting lever into position and re-install the drum. Adjust the brake by repeatedly applying the hand brake. You will hear the adjusting lever ratcheting on the wheel as you apply/release the handbrake. Once the correct adjustment has been reached, the ratcheting sound will stop. 

Edited December 20, 20159 yr by djwarner