Wheel brake shoe cam adjuster - busted

[Jim Gaspard]

This is a followup to a post I found from a couple of years ago on the car side, but my same current problem on my B3B. I pulled my rear hubs tonight as part of my frame-off cleaning and reassembly. On the drivers side rear brakes, both cam adjuster nuts just spin (but not the cam) and will not adjust brake shoe tolerance. Not one but both. Has anyone had this problem and what is the reasonable fix? Are replacement brake cam adjusters available or do I need to take the tack weld approach? Thanks for your help. Jim in Dallas

[MBF]

I think you're going to have to pull it apart in order to free up and clean the concentrilcs so that they move. You can try a little penetrating oil carefully applied, and then tap the bolt with a hammer to see if you can get it moving. If you have to take it apart, once you get the concentric bolts out I'd clean and apply a little never-seize to prevent them from seizing up again. Mike

[Reg Evans]

I would take the tack weld approach.

[Jim Gaspard]

Thanks Reg. I went to the Decatur Swap meet northwest of Fort Worth today, lots of attendees and vendors on 100 acres. This is one of the first shows this year so everyone with cabin fever was there. I picked up a brake spring remover. What a difference the right tool makes. I removed the brake springs, the shoes and tack welded both cams. Worked like a charm. My first venture into the brake realm. Learned a bunch. I'll post photos later. Jim in Dallas.

[MBF]

My bad-I thought you were talking about the anchor pins-I shoud have read it more carefully-sorry. Glad you got them fixed. Mike

[Jim Gaspard]

Rear brake cams tack-welded and sand-blasted. As Reg says, I believe this is the only way to repair them. Both cams on one wheel were slipping. Someone must have been "asleep at the wheel" that day at the factory punch press.

Jim in Dallas