Brake adjusting tool from old drum and hub?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Disc brakes aren't needed, just a proper brake rebuild and shoes that fit the drums and are adjusted correctly. These MoPar brakes work excellent when done right!

[Dodgeb4ya]

The major adjustment would still be needed as it moves the shoes to the center of the drum eliminating any need to radius the shoes.That is why the book says that a major adj is needed everytime drums are cut or shoes are replaced. Jim C

Still the best way for 100% shoe contact and a rock hard good pedal from the start of a brake rebuild is to arc the shoes and do the adjustments. Otherwise only a certain percentage of the lining is contacting the drum. If only the center of the lining hits the shoe, the shoe web flexes= a soft pedal feel. If only the toe or heel hits a certain amount loss of braking ability. All of this until the un-arched shoe linings wear in the the drum.

It only takes a few thousands -.006-.010" shoe to drum difference to cause low pedal and soft feel.

Back in the day few shops had/or used arching machines. They are shown in the Miller Tool books. An expensive tool back then. More commonly used in the 50's and 60's. Asbestos killed the use of the machine. Now asbestos is gone and they can be used. Not really needed for todays drum brakes though.

Bob

[tctrkca1]

I guess this won't convince everyone but here goes.Machine drum so it is true.Do a proper major adj.This is needed to center the shoes in the drum.The arcing is not needed for Mopar because if you look at the shoe as you turn the adj and you see the shoe drop down and out.The piston at the top has a slot to allow it.to .If you look at GM set you see a gooseneck with no ability to drop.This one has to be ground The factory manual says to do a major adj everytime you replace linings or turn drums.There is no reason to remove backing pllate as it doesn't have anything to do with giving full shoe contact.If you want to see how well this works it is easy to test.Take a fresh turned drum and new 3/16 thick linings and do a major adj.Remove the drum and put chalk dust on the shoe and reinstall.You will be a believer and you haven't ground any friction material away. Mine have been done this way and I have a rock hard pedal and brakes that will slide four wheels with little extra effort.I have shown several locals this way and made true believers out of them on how good these brakes can be.Jim

[tctrkca1]

simple solutions have been pictured before, from the Graham Paige club technical pages

If you look at this picture the front shoe adj is way way out.If that much adj is needed the drum is worn out. The idea is to set the shoes to the drum.How does this set up measure the drum? Jim