There's the problem!

[jeremysdad]

Having just spent a week rebuilding my front end (4 ball joints, all new bearings and seals, brakes with new hardware), loaded up the trash excited to drive my 'new' truck (bearings and lower ball joints had stupid amount of play both sides). Make the short trip to the dump (less than a mile), all great! Leave dump, and...damn if the horrible grinding that started all this isn't back! Grrrr...goes away in 300 ft.

Next day, go to work. No noise, drives great, no more wandering/changing directions over bumps. Get within 200 yards of the house...grindsquealscreechlurch. Wtf?

Pull rear ds wheel, remove drum. Adjuster falls out in 3 pieces along with half of a lining. Drum is fine, no grooves, all springs in place.

Don't really need any help as of yet, just something I've never seen in 23+ years, so thought I would share.

Pic of adjuster

 

[Captain Ledd]

I had this happen several years back. The adjuster itself was still in place, but that is the arm on the left side. Or rather what was left of it...

 

[adsm08]

Seen it all. I hate drums.

 

[jeremysdad]

Found the root cause. See if you can guess...

What's wrong with this picture?

Hint: Driver's side rear brake.

 

[AllanD]

I've been dealng with drum brakes for ~40 years, but my brother taught me a trick.


When you have them apart and you are unsure of the condition of the brake springs take them one at a time and drop them on the shop floor and listen to the sound they make...

Fatigued or overheated springs make a dull sound telling you if they need to be replaced. New springs sound different. and once you've heard both...

Of course you could just buy a spring kit every time, $15-$18 dollars isn't much money...
But if funds are tight this can make the decision easier...