When I first got my truck it literally wouldn't stop, it would hardly slow down. So, the first thing I did was replaced the master cylinder (manual brakes), all 4 wheel cylinders, and the front shoes and drums, and one front brake hose. Then I bled them for what seemed like forever. After all that my brakes work pretty well; I can lock up all 4 wheels in a panic stop. Only problem is, when I brake hard it pulls hard to the left. Always to the left. I don't remember now which brake hose I replaced, could the passenger side hose be bad and causing this? I do remember however, that I had a hard time getting the drum back on the drivers side and had to sand the shoes a little, but not too much and the wheel still spun freely. Any suggestions?
Yes that could cause the pulling to the left, but it could also be a few other things. One thing for sure, it IS the right side that is not braking properly. Were the drums ground down to true before the installation ? DV
As dvalentine suggests the drums really do need to be turned to provide a consistent braking surface to all shoes. And yes the old hose could be expanding, dissipating braking pressure to that side. Old hoses are notorious for deteriorating inside out, generating debris in the system. If the system wasn't thoroughly flushed, old crud could now be in one of the new wheel cylinders. Other things to look for are tired return springs if they weren't replaced, or dirty, rusty, or caked up backing plates where the shoes contact them. They should be cleaned at the contact area and a light coat of Lubriplate applied. If any grease or brake fluid got on the linings during the rebuild this will effect friction capacity. When adjusting the brakes I've found the best method is to expand the adjusters as far as they will go until the drum is seized up, then back them off the same number of turns on each side. This helps center the brakes in the drum, and if they don't match within 1-2 notches side for side, something is wrong inside. Per the 1960 Chevy Truck Service Manual, the primary shoe is the one with the shorter lining. The secondary shoe has the longer lining. Under step 5 of Brake Shoe Replacement Installation, there's a note - "CAUTION- The socket and star wheel must be adjacent to the primary (front) shoe on the brakes on the left side and adjacent to the secondary (rear) shoe on the brakes on the right side". Just something else to check. Another possibility is the shoes could have been installed backwards on one side. It's easy to reverse the primary and secondary shoes if not paying close attention or working tired late at night. They will fit just fine the right way or the wrong way. It might be a good idea to pull the drums again just to check for a leaking wheel cylinder. It's not likely, but it does happen, and something isn't working. Last thing I can think of is to check for equal tire pressure and matching tire size left to right.
Thanks for all the help guys, the drums on the front are new; the old ones were badly scored so I just replaced them when I replaced the shoes. I'll check the hoses and shoes, it was getting late when I finished working on those brakes, and I did not know that they could go on the wrong way, so maybe they are backwards... I did not replace the springs, guess I could do that when I take the drums off to check the shoes. Sounds like a good project for Thursday, I can't go off and visit the family if I'm too busy with my brakes...
Save yourself a little time and get all three hoses and replace them all at once. Make sure the shoes are on correctly. There is a front and a rear shoe. Check to make sure you have good springs. Make sure you have the correct star adjuster for the right side.
Thanks guys, I fixed it; it was my fault I took the wheel off today, and noticed that the shoes were the same size on the front and back, so I knew right then what I had done. I took the shoes off and re-installed them correctly. Bled them again, and now no pulling! I broke a wheel stud with a breaker bar while removing the wheel (I must have cross threaded it in the dark with the impact wrench last time) I'll fix that next time I rotate the tires, but for now I'm done with brakes
