[jerryt]

Well I got everything in my 74 nova sorted out, and now I have a brake problem. As far as I know the car is stock, disc front, drums rear. when I step on brakes hard they lock up. I have tried adjusting the rear brakes and thsi has helped a little. The drums are new and the brake shoes are new. The pads in front are also new. What am I missing? Some friends say bleed brakes, adjust brake push rod, and others say master or regulator. Any ideas?

Jerry

[SHIFTY4]

is this a factory Disc/Drum equipped car ?

in regards to all the parts on the car... are the only parts that were replaced already mentioned above ?

what locks up... the fronts or the rears or both ?

[jerryt]

I think its the rear brakes. I think the car is all stock. 383 motor turbo 350 nothing out of the ordinary. I just thought of something. the emergency brake pedal that bolts to the dash is bent and not attached to the dash board. Could this be adding pressure to the rear shoes, and when I step on the brakes this pressure is multiplied?

Jerry

[SHIFTY4]

you can check the cable etc under the car (driver's side) and check tension on cable. even if e brake appears to be applied it could be loose... of for that matter it could be adjusted tight.

one way to see which wheel(s) are locking up is to give it a couple hard brake applications then check the temperature of the drum(s) & rotor(s) it could be one wheel, could be two wheels. be careful you don't get burned though testing/checking temp.

if the e brake is on then i could see where if/when the brakes are applied the rears overheat...



there's a few things to check/look at.

[71BBNOVA4sp]

any sign of wetness, maybe a slow leaking rear wheel cylinder

[jerryt]

I am going to check the e brake cable. And bolt it into the stock location under the dash. Any tips on this the brake handle is bent. The last time I checked the rear drums there was no sign of leaking from wheel cylinders. Oh well if it wasnt for things to fix I probably would watch soap operas and then go to work????? ha ha

Jerry

[stubnosebrock]

Proportioning valve?

[jerryt]

I tried to push the e brake bracket back into position to bolt it back in. And now the car rear brakes really drag. I think I am on right track the e brake must be almost on and when i step on brake it locks up. Any ideas on how ato disconnect and and adjust e brake cable?

Jerry

[jp71ss]

Are you sure you have the shoes installed correctly? Long shoe on the rear and short shoe on the front?

[jerryt]

Will check shoes when I take apart the e brake cable. Will ;;have to allow slack for the e brake handle handle that I have to bend and remount.
Jerryt

[Philip]

Originally Posted by jerryt

Well I got everything in my 74 nova sorted out, and now I have a brake problem. As far as I know the car is stock, disc front, drums rear. when I step on brakes hard they lock up. I have tried adjusting the rear brakes and thsi has helped a little. The drums are new and the brake shoes are new. The pads in front are also new. What am I missing? Some friends say bleed brakes, adjust brake push rod, and others say master or regulator. Any ideas?

Jerry

Jerry in 74 brake technology wasn't as good as today. It was pretty much normal if you stepped on the peddle hard the rears would lock up. Driver skills and being familiar with your car is a learned response to using the pedal to keep them from locking up.

All these advances to braking, steering, yaw control, anti collision sensors, air bags, etc were necessary because most drivers now days can not operate a vehicle in a safe manner, especially while texting on the phone

[jerryt]

Phil I hear what your saying about driving. I got the e brake back in its correct position. and adjusted the cable. The brakes dont drag like before. I still have to check the brake shoes. But the brakes are better now then before.

Jerry

[jerryt]

Ok I took off the brake shoes on dr side. The shoes were long one on front and short on back. Now I can barely get the drums over my new shoes. The drums, shoes are new. The drums measure out 9 1/2 wide 2 deep. The brake shoes measure out with star adjuster at zero 9 1/2 inches. Any ideas what I am missing. Also what is the e brake leveler bar and is it possible I have the wrong star adjuster? without it the drums slide on like butter.

Jerry

[Philip]

It is possible the spreader bar for the parking brake is holding the shoes too far apart. Look at the pivot point where the top of the shoe rests, the shoes should be resting on the pin, if not back off the park brake cable until they do and then adjust shoe to drum clearance with the star wheel.

There is a tool called a Brake Shoe Adjustment Gauge. It has inside and outside measuring points. Position in the drum and adjust until it is tight, then place the other side over the shoes and adjust until you feel drag. Install the drum and it is done. From this point it is close enough for the auto adjuster to work.

photo of tool

[jerryt]

Philip
Like you were reading my mind. I thought about this at work all last night. And I came up with the same answer as you did. I assumed that all the parts were correct. And that came back to bite me in the rear. The star adjuster was wrong. When the brakes are put together and the adjuster is used the brakes spread apart to far. This is because the pivot point is increased. I found a adjuster off of a 1966 elcamino drum brake which is a 1/4 inch shorter and improved everything. Now the drums go on without a problem and I have room to adjust the brakes. Thanks for all the help. I will let you know how the test drive goes.

thanks
Jerryt