Drum Brakes Issue

[flatlander]

I did the drum brakes on my 2004 fx4 L2 today. Replaced the shoes, wheel cylinders, and all new springs inside. I didn;t have the drums turned since they looked very good inside. They were a little tight when I put the drums back on, but with the wheels bolted on I could still turn the wheels by hand. That was with the adjuster backed all the way off.

I took it for a run around the block and everything seemed fine, but I drove about 5 miles from home and they got progressively tighter and now they are pretty much locked right up. I've done drum brakes before, but this is the first time on this truck. I am at a loss. Any ideas?

 

[srteach]

A brake fluid flush is in order here. Check it with a strip that measures moisture in the fluid (source: auto parts store). You will probably find a high moisture content in it.

When the water in the fluid heats up, it expands and applies the brakes.

 

[pillen140]

id double check that the adjusters are not in backwards or on the wrong side.

 

[flatlander]

A brake fluid flush is in order here. Check it with a strip that measures moisture in the fluid (source: auto parts store). You will probably find a high moisture content in it.

When the water in the fluid heats up, it expands and applies the brakes.

This is interesting and something I can do the side of the road where it is sitting. Thanks

Also, is there some adjustment that needs to be made to the emergency brake after the drums have been done? Could it be that the emergency brake has to be backed off some how?

 

[pillen140]

This is interesting and something I can do the side of the road where it is sitting. Thanks

Also, is there some adjustment that needs to be made to the emergency brake after the drums have been done? Could it be that the emergency brake has to be backed off some how?

i doubt that there is enough moisture to cause this happening to you. you should bleed them anyway, but id be checking your adjusters, they are specific to which side they go on.

 

[flatlander]

i doubt that there is enough moisture to cause this happening to you. you should bleed them anyway, but id be checking your adjusters, they are specific to which side they go on.

I have the adjusters backed off all the way and I did one side at a time so I know they are on the correct side, and I double checked them against the pictures I took before I started so I know they aren;t in backwards.

 

[pillen140]

I have the adjusters backed off all the way and I did one side at a time so I know they are on the correct side, and I double checked them against the pictures I took before I started so I know they aren;t in backwards.

if they were adjusted all the way in, did you adjust them back with the drum on so they barely drag? it could be they werent adjusted back and the ebrake cross bar or something could have fallen and jammed the shoes? are you stuck on the road right now?

 

[flatlander]

if they were adjusted all the way in, did you adjust them back with the drum on so they barely drag? it could be they werent adjusted back and the ebrake cross bar or something could have fallen and jammed the shoes? are you stuck on the road right now?

Yeah, I'm thinking it has something to do with the emergency brake. It was on the side of the road and I just bit the bullet and had it towed to a brake shop a few blocks away. I would prefer to do it myself, but it is going to be a major pain in the ass getting that drum off with the brakes locked in there. I'll let you know what they find out. Thanks for all the help.