1953 Dodge Meadowbrook brake system

[Crisjr14]

OK so need to ask if anyone can help me out here on how to get my brake system with drums I am trying to see how do I get the drums to go on correctly I have a tool that threads on to the spindle to sorta get them semi the same way but I do the adjustments with the bolts circled in red in picture and can't still seem to get them to go on like they are suppose to  please any help would be greatly appreciated thank you all 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Crisjr14
Wording

[Dodgeb4ya]

To begin...... to get the drums on turn the anchor arrows so they point directly to each wheel cylinder on the front brakes.

The picture you posted shows the shoe anchors (arrows pointing away from cylinders) pushing shows outwards.

On the rear brakes the lower two anchor pin arrows should point directly to each other.

Loosen the 7/8" nut on the back of the anchor bolts so you can rotate the anchor bolts.

Behind the hold down spring clips is the brake shoe adjusting cam...using a 3/4" wrench turn it so the shoe moves inward as far as it will go.

These settings/adjustments of the arrows and adjusting cams will move the brake shoes inward and should make the drums slip on.

Then use what ever tool you have to set them up as in the shop manual.

And you should be reading the factory shop manual to help guide you.

Plus the help here.

 

[Crisjr14]

Thank you Dodgeb4ya I will give it a try also can you give me some advise as to why only one side of the shoes open and close and the other don't on the front aren't they both suppose to push out together on the drum? I have everything new cylinders,shoes,etc. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

52 minutes ago, Crisjr14 said:

Thank you Dodgeb4ya I will give it a try also can you give me some advise as to why only one side of the shoes open and close and the other don't on the front aren't they both suppose to push out together on the drum? I have everything new cylinders,shoes,etc. 

Have you read your manual on the operation of the brakes and the importance of centering the shoes to the drum...the anchors and cams is a balancing act for proper centering and maintaining the air gap heel and toe...and this balancing act is to the tune of .006 less than the diameter of your drum.  These shoes DO NOT float and centric alignment is up to the person do the maintenance. 

[Jerry Roberts]

1 hour ago, Crisjr14 said:

... why only one side of the shoes open and close and the other don't on the front aren't they both suppose to push out together on the drum? 

You probably have air in the lines . 

[keithb7]

The eccentric pins with the arrows adjust the heel of the shoe. The cams at at the center adjust the toe of the shoe.

 

Using brake tool that I have, I do this:

 

Loosen nuts behind eccentric pin as mentioned. Pull the shoes inward. Loosen cam as well, pull the shoes in.

Turn an eccentric pin to move 1 shoe heel outward. Try sliding drum on.  Remove drum again. Adjust heel outwards again. Try fitting drum. remove drum. Repeat. Keep pushing heel out until drum will not fit over shoe any more. Back eccentric pin off slight just a hair so drum will fit on. Remove drum again. This heel part of the shoe that now sits very close to the drum is your reference point. Put the brake tool on now. Thread it in place. Set it to the height of the heel of the shoe, your reference point. Lock the tool in this position, so it just kisses the shoe material as it passes your reference point. Now move tool around the full circle. As you spin tool around notice the gap between the shoes and tool tip. Adjust other eccentric pin and cams so the shoes move outward. Until they too just kiss the tool tip as it passes by in a circular motion. When you are satisfied the gap is closed up, and shoes concentric lock down eccentric pins by tightening nuts on the back side of brake backing plate.

 

Re-install drum. Spin drum. Should move freely. Get a large combination wrench.  Behind brake backing plate, twist cam bolts out, (the ones half way up the shoe) until they lock the toe of the shoe to the drum. Then back them off just a hair, so drum no longer lock up. A little drag here at this point is fine. Adjust all for cams this way.

Should be good to go if you get it right. Works for me.

 

 

[Sam Buchanan]

Be sure you are familiar with this technical article located on our forum:

 

https://p15-d24.com/page/p15d24/tech/brakes.html/

[Crisjr14]

Thank you Sam Buchanan that is some very helpful information there I really appreciate it