Hey guys,
Today i were replacing rear rotors and pads when noticed (see videos) that ONLY one - main brake shoe (with lever) moves/expands when pedal is pressed on both sides (pass, driver). I'm assuming that both shoes supposed to expand/move when working properly (correct me)? Especially after i watched this popular youtube video (scroll at 5:55min), i'm convinced that both shoes should expand/move.
I can't figured for life what is wrong with my car. I took all the park brake parts apart, lubed the contact points, reassembled, yet still only one shoe moves on both sides... One thing i noticed - one (yellow) tension spring is thinner than second (orange), and orange (stronger) spring is holding that secondary shoe which doesn't move. If that's the reason, then i conclude it's factory design to move one shoe only?? Please help me figure out. Thanks.

My car:

• Passenger side:
  Vimeo
• Driver side:
  Vimeo

 

Only one shoe moving with the rotor off is normal. they will both move with the rotor on and hold the car when adjusted properly.

 

Thank you for clarification Clutchless. Looks like i have to replace shoe pads on one side now...

While removing rotor I yanked pretty hard (didn't know it was trapped by brake shoe), so that pin & springs came off. I reinstalled them, adjusted cog dial and everything looked good (rotor moved freely).

But when got one highway, i started hearing almost like "hitting" noise from pass side. Stopped to look - it strongly smelled burnt, rotor was very hot. Took the wheel off - rotor was spinning fine (with no excess drag whatsoever) . Readjusted the cog dial - followed 7-8 notches adjustment guideline. Yet still hitting noise.

Temporarily turned the cog dial down completely (disengaged). - No noise. I'm puzzled. Is it bad parking brake shoe - need to replace?

 

I learned this many years ago that the brake assembly (drum) floats inside the drum. When you install the drum you have to have an assistant periodically apply and release the brake while the mechanic spins the drum and keeps hitting the outside of the drum with a mallet [to shake] the floating assembly inside to center.

The worst thing for the drum brakes is to not operate them regularly to keep everything moving/not-rusting-in-place.

I would suggest re-open the drum to make sure everything is ok.

Note: Although you can test the whole thing with wheel mounted, but that gives too much inertia to test if the brakes are binding.

I have not opened the drums on the 3rd gen, but first gen did not have a self adjusting cog to move the star nut. So the right adjustment would be to back off the star nut as mush as you can while on application of brake the wheel is locked.

Salim

 

I have no more advice on this subject, except to support salimshah's opinion. You may have bent something, but certainly, the shoes are out of position. I hope never to replace my parking brake shoes as I hate working on drum brakes.

 

Thank you all for the insight. I also just spoke with Autozone rep, and he told me that's normal that one wheel brake drum needs to be dialed down more than the other... Suggested me to bring few more notches down and said it's unlikely brake shoes is bad.

Also, l think salimshah is pointing to the right direction - will try spinning and hitting with mallet...

 

Salimshah,
Can you please clarify the adjustment process. Do I hit with mallet when the brake is engaged or disengaged? Are there any videos of this adjustment? Thanks.

 

Sorry no video.
on the drum side, you just keep spinning or try to spin the drum. Your success in spinning depends on the brake being released by the assistant .. totally random ... the other action of mallet can be totally rhythmic tap .. tap .. tap on the the surface where the pads meet the drum. I try to go around the drum to help adjust all sides.

Hope it helps.

Salim

 

Ok, thanks will try that.