AMX rear drum tight fit

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   I'm replacing most of the brake system on my 68 AMX with front disc brakes and drums in the rear. Today after installing new  brake components on the rear passenger side I could barely get the existing  brake drum over the new brake shoes without pounding on it with my fists. The drum took all my strength to turn. The brake shoes, parking brake cable, rubber brake hose with tee fitting, wheel cylinder, shoe hold down springs were replaced with new brand name parts...Raybestos, Bendix..

I adjusted the adjusting screw all the way in. I adjusted the parking brake cable at the equalizer 1/2" further in than where it was, large secondary shoe at the rear, secondary brake shoe and primary brake shoe contact the post at 12 o'clock. Should I not be doing one side at a time,  and do both at the same time? Are the shoes too thick? 

Edited by AMXFSTBK390 - Aug/26/2014 at 9:37pm

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AMXFSTBK390 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/22/2013 Location: SF Bay Area Status: Offline Points: 3489	Post Options Post Reply Quote AMXFSTBK390 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: AMX rear drum tight fit Posted: Aug/26/2014 at 9:29pm
	I'm replacing most of the brake system on my 68 AMX with front disc brakes and drums in the rear. Today after installing new brake components on the rear passenger side I could barely get the existing brake drum over the new brake shoes without pounding on it with my fists. The drum took all my strength to turn. The brake shoes, parking brake cable, rubber brake hose with tee fitting, wheel cylinder, shoe hold down springs were replaced with new brand name parts...Raybestos, Bendix.. I adjusted the adjusting screw all the way in. I adjusted the parking brake cable at the equalizer 1/2" further in than where it was, large secondary shoe at the rear, secondary brake shoe and primary brake shoe contact the post at 12 o'clock. Should I not be doing one side at a time, and do both at the same time? Are the shoes too thick? Edited by AMXFSTBK390 - Aug/26/2014 at 9:37pm
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THE MENACE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/04/2008 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 4438	Post Options Post Reply Quote THE MENACE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/26/2014 at 10:06pm
	In the picture you posted the adjuster looks like it can still be adjusted shorter. Also you did put a dab of antisieze on the backing plate tabs where the shoe contacts the backing plate? That will keep the shoes moving freely and keep the shoe from wearing grooves in the backing plate. Dennis
	Former Owner of: The Craig Breedlove "AERO AMX" Still Owner: SS/AMX #9 replica (THE BIG MENACE) 70 AMX 416, EFI, Nash 5 speed 70 Javelin 401, 727 (Wife's car) 72 Gremlin Autocross Project.

AMXFSTBK390 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/22/2013 Location: SF Bay Area Status: Offline Points: 3489	Post Options Post Reply Quote AMXFSTBK390 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/26/2014 at 10:28pm
	After the first attempt to put the brake drum on, I adjusted the adjusting screw assembly all the way in, thinking it would make a difference. It did. But not enough of a difference. Thanks for the advice on putting anti-seize on the backing plate tabs where the shoe contacts the backing plate. I will do it tomorrow.
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CamJam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Jan/04/2014 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 6553	Post Options Post Reply Quote CamJam Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/27/2014 at 12:24am
	I just finished loading the brakes onto my recently restored rear diff and have the same problem. I haven't spent any further time trying to get the drums on after the initial attempt, but I think it's pretty normal with new brake shoes. Perhaps someone here knows the trick and will be able to enlighten us. FYI, I did have anti-seize on my backing plate tabs.
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401MATCOUPE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/20/2010 Location: Salisbury, MD Status: Offline Points: 5367	Post Options Post Reply Quote 401MATCOUPE Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/27/2014 at 7:41am
	Terry....couple of things that may help. 1. Looking at your pics, looks like you are "re-using" the springs, just my opinion, spend the $10.00 and replace all, I have sen so many shoe wear issues and release issues from tired springs that "looked" fine. 2. Your first pic shoes the parking brake lever in a forward position. This can be from two things. a) need to adjust the cable up at the equilizer. I back it off until the nut is ready to fall off the front cable. b) I see you have new cables installed. I recently found that many "new" cables are made wrong and the cable housing length was dead on, but the inner was short, in one case by more then a inch. So this caused the parking brake arm to act like the e-brake was on, it fought me for a good day. It went together fine, but the brake drum was at new diameter and all new parts caused the drum to not even come close to fit. Thinking in your case a smaller error in the inner cable still could make it off. So I would compare the old to new parts on both sides. 3. Form the same pic, it looks like the adjuster is a bit dry, just make sure the threads are clean and well lubed, frozen or tight self adjusters cause alot of braking issues later. Hope this helps.
	Ross K. Peterson 68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar) 68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A 69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8 70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO 74MatX,401,AT,Prototype 74MatX,401,AT

AMXFSTBK390 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/22/2013 Location: SF Bay Area Status: Offline Points: 3489	Post Options Post Reply Quote AMXFSTBK390 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/27/2014 at 5:04pm
	Ross, You nailed it! I backed the equalizer nut 3/4" and the drum slipped on easily. For some reason I tightened the nut 1" past where it was, before the brake job. I know this because there is a shiny spot where the adjusting nut and jam nut were. For some reason I thought the equalizer nut needed to be adjusted inward for the new brake shoes. I did the opposite adjustment of what should have been done. BTW, I did compare the old parking brake cables with the new replacements and they are the same length inside and outside. Thanks Dennis, I took your advice and painted the contact tab on the backing plate with anti-seize. Thanks
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amcglass Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/11/2011 Location: NW Ohio Status: Offline Points: 2588	Post Options Post Reply Quote amcglass Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug/27/2014 at 5:26pm

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