Well I pulled my drums off, ordered new pads + shoes, new drums, new hardware kit, everything.

I've changed all the springs, wheel cylinders, pretty much everything is new. So I put both sides together but I go to put my drums on, they will NOT fit.

My new drums are actually a little bigger than my old ones but they won't go back on, so the size is not the problem, I don't think my parking brake cable is seized and I really don't want to cut it and find out that isn't the problem and then go through the hassle to put a new one in.

Any reason WHY they don't go on?

 

Also my star wheel adjuster is backed down all the way, I've taken the brakes on both sides apart and put them together over 5 times today, still nothing worked.

 

Also..... my old drums measured 10.090", the ones I bought measure 10.0905" and 10.0901"

 

did you make sure they are not hung up on the backing plate? it is a common thing.. i get calls alot and come over to find that the shoe is just hung up

 

I can't really tell if it's hung up or not, this is my first ever brake job, and I've sliced myself open too much to do anything more today, and after destroying a chunk of my rear I'm pretty aggravated..

 

Also, when I push one shoe further in, the other just backs away, so they are not butt-up against the pin.

 

pull on the shoes slightly then push them together,watch as u oush them together. it sounds like they ar haning up....unless they are a 13" shoe going in a 11" drum

 

Doesn't seem like it, I matched up the old shoes to the new ones, the match is 100% correct, I've done EVERYTHING I can possibly do to get them to come together, nothing is working

 

theres something being missed.. drums are pretty simple.. its not hung up in the adjuster? on top?bottom?the wheel cylinder rods are they hung up.?

 

take a few good pic if you can and post them

 

I'll go out and take pics right this minute.

 

I got before and after pics, tell me if I did anything wrong, like I said. I went in blind on this and I worked with the pictures I had. This is the passenger side -

From After to Before. http://s955.photobucket.com/albums/ae32/DrownSouls/

 

wow all i can see is the rear has to be pulled down and in.. i cannot see the front to well but from the pic its not sittin in far enough (to the center)..i thought pics would help alot.. hopefully someone will see what im missing

 

I tried pulling and pushing them in, but they just won't move, when I push one in the other moves out, it's getting annoying..

 

it looks like the parking brake cable may be too tight, the spring looks compressed to much. if its to tight it will push the other side out when u push one side in like u said. make sure the parking brake isnt engaged then look at the cable under the car and see if its hanging loose.

thats my guess from looking at the pics. hope this helps

 

I might just end up cutting it, who needs a parking brake anyway pssh...

 

But anyway, my brake isn't engaged.

 

Looks like they are not sitting properly at the top. Also in picture 5, the shoe on teh right is too far out as you can tell by the retaining pin and spring.

 

......Don't cut the parking brake and not put it back. That would be a mistake. It might come in handy.

 

On page one of your pictures second from the last one you will see a piece of flat stock just under the wheel cylinder. Remove this piece and your drums will fit and you dont have to cut anything. I know I'm probably to late here but thought I would try.

 

Hmm is that stock piece essential?

 

Yes as it is part of your e-brake assembaly.

 

With this piece removed yes it will disable your parking brake but it sounds like your cables are frozen any way. If this is the case and you want your drums to go back on remove this piece. IMO its better than cutting the e-brake cable.

 

Well I did it, tires are back on, thanks Sweeper, I wouldn't really need an e-brake for right now, and I really didn't want to cut it

 

Why not replace the cables? I'm sure that a store would carry them, if not, then they should be able to get them or something very close to the length that you need. Heck, some shops can even make them.

 

I'll replace them when I feel theres a need, but as far as it goes, an automatic with a parking brake is redundant, it'd only be useful if I parked on a hill or slope, which will never happen in this city.

 

Although this is a valid point and the cables should be replaced the #1 reason for cables siezing up in the first place is due to lack of use. I cant see putting a new set of cables on the car, never to be used, just to have them sieze.

 

While you are right about not needing them with an automatic, you will need them if/when a brake line lets go while you are driving and trying to stop. With the e-brake cables hooked up and adjusted properly, they will allow you to stop.

If you don't ever use them, you can at least set and release them a few times every other month or so and maybe even spray a little bit of oil on them to keep them free.

 

X2 on that. Otherwise aim for cheap and soft if your brakes go out....

 

I'm sure I'll get alot of flame for this,

but ALWAYS use an E-brake with ANY car... Always have a good set of lines going to.

That'll suck the day you live it in neutral and take your foot off the brake and hop out.

I always pull on the E-brake handle in the Dart. Its an extra safety feature and a peace of mind to me.


There is a reason ALL cars have an E-brake.