Mustang Dad

Well damn. Got the brake cylinders rebuilt and bled, but the right front is still grabbing. It doesn't feel like the left front is working at all. This is on a '65 coupe/302 w/drum brakes.

colostang

Original springs and adjusters in the drums? I finally gave up on my front drums and got discs because of similar problems to what you are experiencing. Of course I wasn't a break mechanic so each time I put a new cylinder in it took me a while to get everything set right. But the conclusion I came to was that I was dealing with a 40 year old part that didn't want to work with my limited knowledge applied. I know this wasn't alot of help to you, but at least it will bump this post back up to the top where a non-idiot will see it

dano670

First, have you tried backing up and hitting the brakes to auto adjust them?

It is possible that you have maybe assembled the auto adjuster portion of the brake pad wrong.

dano670

That is wierd, all three of us have 58 posts. 59 for me now.

burnettt

when u say still grabbing, do u mean it's grabbnig and not letting go, or grabbing and letting go like normal? If it's not letting go check the lines. I had this problem a month ago, and the line had become pinched by a rock or something and wasn't letting the fluid back. Make sure there's no leaks if fluid gets on the shoes it will feel as if it's sticking. If your sure everything is installed properly adjust them again. When adjusting i start with tire spinning freely, turn the adjuster a few clicks, mash the brakes 4 or 5 times, few more clicks, mash the brakes and so on.When the shoe barely touches the drum and makes a small scratch sound i stop.

Brandontyler65

the self adjusters don't work so well on the front i have found

66JameStang

I bought a 66 and the brake were horrible... If you have the money I recomend dumping the drums brakes all together and switch to disc. The feel is completely different and it is deffinately a lot safer then relying on forty year old brakes.

I Tried to rebuild as well with no success. It is really just a hastle.

ZZmustang

The difference, may be because of the shoes in the front. There is a front and back to the set in the front. They will mount but perform different. The shoes are not the same.
Drum breaks are not very good to begin with and if you don't get everything just as the factory wants it, they become worse.
Take a picture of each side and post it.

Mustang Dad

Planning to pull the drums off this weekend. Will post some pics if we can get to it. The wifes 95 Camero just blew (the bearings woreout) a water pump too. (When it rains, it pours). Just hope my Avalance doesnt give up too. Laughs...the son is getting real tired of putting the wheels and tires back on and then pulling them off every weekend. But hey, once ya get one thing fixed, ya gotta check it out by driving it dont ya?? And he cant drive it yet!! Its all mine to drive (for now).

ponyx2

If the shoes are grease or oil soaked, they will grab. Are they clean and dry?