[BaadAssGremlins] 73 Rear brakes

["gremlin_corvette_guy" <gremlin_corvette_guy@xxxxxxxxx>]

Gentlemen, I was hoping to get a taker to offer me a solution to a 
rear brake problem, but no one jumped so I'll offer it up for the 
group.
On my 73 rear left brakes I removed everything down to backing plate 
(9 inch Duo-servo) and left parking brake lever attached to its 
cable. Installed correct replacement wheel cylinder,and primary shoe 
with hold down spring. But when installing the secondary shoe and 
hold down spring the parking brake lever was in the way so I 
jockeyed the parking brake cable (released finger pinch and made 
cable longer to get more play) as it came in throught the backing 
plate to move the lever out of the way. Installed hold down screw 
and then repositioned parking brake cable back to where I thought it 
was with finger pinch clamp. Finished by installing all springs, 
including secondary shoe return spring, guide, adjusting lever, star 
wheel, and adjusting spring. All new parts. Also positioned parking 
brake strut in correctly with forks going right direction and spring 
on primary shoe side. Starwheel was turned down as small as it can 
get. Go to put brake drum on - IT WILL NOT FIT!
Also noted top of primary shoe 1/2 moon does not properly seat 
against top post for spring attachment at 12:00 and primary shoe 
cannot be compressed to same internal position as secondary shoe. 
There is no way to compress the shoes to get the drum on. The wheel 
cylinder pistons are fully compressed and the bleed screw is open to 
insure the wheel cylinder is not keeping the shoes out. A friend 
mechanic suggested removing the parking brake strut and reassembling 
and sure enough the shoe tops seat properly and the brake drum will 
now fit on. Does anyone know if the manipulation of the parking 
brake cable as it comes in the backing plate might be causing the 
problem?  Could it be a frozen parking brake cable not allowing the 
parking brake lever to move freely and hence keeping the primary 
shoe pushed out too far? I have an AMC technical service manual and 
the section on brakes and wheels is not at all helpful for 
troubleshooting. Anyone ever have this problem and can make any 
suggestions or provide any troubleshooting references. If so I am 
deeply indebted.   Thank you. Gary 



 
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