50 Desoto Brakes, Brakes And More Brakes

[greg g]

I would start by looking for a shop that specializes in heavy equipment, trucks, and commercial vehicles. We have a shop here that does all kinds of brakes from Elevators to Carosels. They had the tools, and two or three Old shool guys who had experience from the early 50's. They did my brakes 12 years and 40K ago and they are still spot on.

[Plymouthy Adams]

often times for some it may be better to throw in the towel and get it to a professional..but in my opinion they are not professional if they do not have the right tools...while close enough will get you brakes..it will not ensure long lasting even wear...

[Dodgeb4ya]

I just did the brakes on a 1948 T&C friday. I do a lot of these old MoPars. Each drum measurement is needed to be able to be able to arc each shoe to fit each drum. Generally the drums should have a light cut taken if possible  for proper brake shoe lining break in and to true up the drums. I arc each set (2) of shoes to fit each size drum on a ammco "Safe-Arc" machine.. The ammco arcing machine is designed to automatically arc the shoes .020" undersize to help the shoes wear in and seat properly.

 I quickly check with the ammco 1750 guage for shoe contact. If the shoes are properly arc'd the factory arrow location generally is just about right. Three quarters or more of the lining will just rub on the ammco pin-the last inch or so at each end of the lining will have a few thousandth's clearance as is stated in the shop manual.

I think the OP is burned out spending too much effort in getting the lining contact feel and location which is nearly impossible with out having the shoes arc'd IMO. 

So...Properly Arc the shoes, leave the anchor pin settings at the factory settings as shown in the shop manual and you will be just about right on and have a good pedal. All of this info assuming you can find a  shop that will or has a arching machine. Most all big truck shops should have one. Also brake shoe reline shops will one. Here in the Seattle area there are several. I understand some towns don't.

One last thing is to completely bleed out all of the air in the system. I use both a KD pressure bleeder and a "Vacula" bleeder. Both fast easy and thorough. Trying to do one of these lockeed systems can be ass kicking if it's your first time and don't have much brake repair experience. The proper quality tools sure help too.. some of just which are not available to the one timer doing his brakes on a nice sunny weekend!

Bob