decreasing rear brake

1984heartbeat · 09-12-2007, 09:37 AM

Is it possible to decrese the pressure to my rear drums on my 84 K10, they have a tendency to lock up with only moderate pedal pressure. Ive found my self in a few hair raising skids since i bought this truck.

75K30 · 09-12-2007, 10:22 AM

That is a tension problem, and not a pressure problem. Drum brakes are adjustable, and are simply too tight causing the lock up.
Run the adjuster out so the shoes do not engage as hard, and your troubles will be over.

1984heartbeat · 09-13-2007, 07:31 AM

where is the adjuster? Im not very firmilliar with drum brakes.

Also the Hames manual I have claimes it has self adjusting brakes.

mrjohnwayne · 09-13-2007, 07:58 AM

the "self adjust" to tighten but they will not loosen. On the back side of the backing plate at the bottom there should be a little rectangular hole. It might/might not have a little rubber stopper in it (to keep trash out) inside that hole will be an adjuster. looks like a big metal ring with little teeth on it. you can use a flat head screwdriver to turn but a brake spoon will work wonders and they are pretty cheap. IMO the best way to adjust is to jack the back wheels off the ground (with the front wheels chocked and jack stands for the back

) and tighten the adjuster till you feel drag, then loosen and stop as soon as the drag dissapears.

436'd skylark · 09-13-2007, 05:03 PM

your drums might be contaminated with either brake fluid or axle lube, that can cause a nasty lock up problem..

mudseeker · 09-13-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 436'd skylark

your drums might be contaminated with either brake fluid or axle lube, that can cause a nasty lock up problem..

that could be the case considering the age.

gmctrucks · 09-15-2007, 03:36 AM

My 57 Fird truck had the same problem it turned out to be the rear wheels cyclinder was leaking I replaced both and bought new shoes. My son is going to replace the rear brake shoes on the wifes van I told him push down on the hand brake four clicks then adjust the tension on the cable so that when you release the hand brake it adjusted just right you can also rebuilt the wheel cyclinders I have way back when I was dead broke well still broke but not as much.

crabtruck · 09-17-2007, 03:15 AM

Are you sure you're getting suficient pressure to fronts ? "only moderate pedal pressure" is sort of relative...

09-12-2007, 09:37 AM	#1
1984heartbeat Full Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SE Minnesota Posts: 20	decreasing rear brake Is it possible to decrese the pressure to my rear drums on my 84 K10, they have a tendency to lock up with only moderate pedal pressure. Ive found my self in a few hair raising skids since i bought this truck. __________________ Chevrolet. . . . . . The Heartbeat Of America!!!

09-13-2007, 07:31 AM	#3
1984heartbeat Full Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SE Minnesota Posts: 20	where is the adjuster? Im not very firmilliar with drum brakes. Also the Hames manual I have claimes it has self adjusting brakes. __________________ Chevrolet. . . . . . The Heartbeat Of America!!!

09-13-2007, 07:58 AM	#4
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,789	the "self adjust" to tighten but they will not loosen. On the back side of the backing plate at the bottom there should be a little rectangular hole. It might/might not have a little rubber stopper in it (to keep trash out) inside that hole will be an adjuster. looks like a big metal ring with little teeth on it. you can use a flat head screwdriver to turn but a brake spoon will work wonders and they are pretty cheap. IMO the best way to adjust is to jack the back wheels off the ground (with the front wheels chocked and jack stands for the back ) and tighten the adjuster till you feel drag, then loosen and stop as soon as the drag dissapears. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

09-13-2007, 05:03 PM	#5
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pennsyltucky Posts: 1,000	your drums might be contaminated with either brake fluid or axle lube, that can cause a nasty lock up problem.. __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 294K miles 1962 Scout 80 parts I guess 1966 Scout 800 resto job 2005 Chevy 2500HD Short cab long box DURAMAX 1996 P30, 6.5 NA Mac Mobile whole lot of buicks

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09-12-2007, 10:22 AM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,306	That is a tension problem, and not a pressure problem. Drum brakes are adjustable, and are simply too tight causing the lock up. Run the adjuster out so the shoes do not engage as hard, and your troubles will be over.

09-15-2007, 03:36 AM	#7
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,646	My 57 Fird truck had the same problem it turned out to be the rear wheels cyclinder was leaking I replaced both and bought new shoes. My son is going to replace the rear brake shoes on the wifes van I told him push down on the hand brake four clicks then adjust the tension on the cable so that when you release the hand brake it adjusted just right you can also rebuilt the wheel cyclinders I have way back when I was dead broke well still broke but not as much.

09-17-2007, 03:15 AM	#8
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,106	Are you sure you're getting suficient pressure to fronts ? "only moderate pedal pressure" is sort of relative...

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