I posted in an existing thread, but I thought I would start a new one as I'm new here and not sure if old threads get noticed or not.


I'm redoing rear brakes as the driver's side rear wheel cylinder had a blow out and I think they just keep adding brake fluid and driving it. I've never seen such a greasy, messy drum brake.


I'm really struggling with the parking brake part of this though. When I have it in place where I think it goes (the manual is worthless for this part), that horizontal bar doesn't seem to line up quite right between the shoes without contacting the parking brake assembly in a funny manner.


Also, my spring on that horizontal bar has a little pig tail on it, and you can put that spring on a total of four different ways. Any idea which way that pig tail goes?


I just bought new shoes and cylinders - I'm reusing everything else.


Any pics or diagrams would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,


Mike

 

I think we need pictures to really be able to help with this one.

- Eric

 

Here's a blow up of the parts and the way they go together:

 

Smart move.


Diagrams are posted above.

The pigtail goes towards the brake shoe. It's just for anti-rattle, so it can be either in front of or behind the shoe and it will work fine.

By the way, you do realize that you can take the drum off the other side and use it as an example, right? Or did you take both sides apart at the same time?

 

I rebuilt the rear brakes on my '73 Custom Cruiser, which I'm guessing has very similar if not identical brakes to your car. I took a photo of the left rear brake BEFORE disassembling them so I could see how they go back together, and attached is that photo.