So I wanted to perform some maintainance on my brakes because they seem to not be very effective ie. I have to push very hard to stop my car, also the right front brake seems to be stronger than all the others, it will lock up if I jam the brakes hard.
Anyway, I took opened the driver's side front brake up and this is what it looked like:


The brake fluid you can see is from pushing on the brake pedal. It came out of the left side of the wheel cylinder.
It seems like my shoes are okay, they seem thick enough.
What do you think of the rest of the brake? When pulling back the boot on the wheel cylinder, some fluid dripped out. Does my wheel cylinder need to be replaced? Or should I just leave it be?

I didn't have time right then to open up the rest of the brakes, but do you think I should go ahead and do that to see if the shoes are worn evenly, perhaps replace all the shoes?
I am open to any suggestions, and advice on any of my questions is greatly appreciated.

(Background info, this is on a 1965 coupe, 289 engine.)

 

I would definatly either rebuild or buy new wheel cylinders. Also, Just clean the drum and shoes well, and make sure they are not soaked in brake fluid, if they pads clean up, and put it back together, and adjust them. All the right side needs is just an adjustment, because it was too tight, but i would rebuild the wheel cylinders.

 

Ditto. Rebuild all 4 wheel cylinders.

 

oh, and You see that thing on the bottom?? it has a star wheel, remove that, and unscrew it. CLean it REAL good, and make sure it spins easily. Also, that bottom spring looks funny, i think it should go down a hole, of the left side, but i might not be looking at it properly.

 

I personally think that rebuilding is a waste of time. The majority of the problems come from pitting in the bore. That can't be fixed by rebuilding. The Price of new is less than $20 and cylinder so I recommend new. If the shoes are soaked with brake fuild replace them. They are only about $15 an axle. Check and clean your self adjusters. When you do there is one end that is treaded and one has a cap. Pull the cap and There will be an L or an R under there which denotes the side of the car it should be on. Make sure that it is on the correct side of the car. Out of round drums can cause a wheel to lock prematurely so it is good to check that. Also have the drums measured to see if they are within specs.

 

Ok now I finally see the picture. If you are telling me that is the right front the shoes are on backwards. The long shoe goes on the back not the front. Also if you look at the top the shoes are not seated on the anchor pin. that may have happend when you took it apart but that is not good. Make sure that is seated properly before you put the drum back on. I wouldn't replace those shoes but the wheel cylinder is a must to replace.

 

That has to be the left side, correct? Other wise the self adjuster would not work.

 

That IS the left side, look to the front of the brakes and you can see the front sway bar pivot..

 

Hey guys, thanks for the advice, I'll see about putting in some new wheel cylinders.

Sorry about the confusion about which side it was, but just above my picture, I said drivers side.
It was the right side that was locking up.

 

The confusion was on my part. You did say the picture was of the drivers side. Sorry about that. I'm curious to know what is going on with the drivers side though. Do you have that apart yet? It is always a good idea to pack the bearings and replace the seals while you are in there.