Weak hoses is an important thought. I replaced mine with S.S. braided hoses
and the difference is something else. Firm,firm,firm!!!!
Dave Gebhard
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Buettner <danb@thelittlemacshop.com>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2001 5:05 PM
Subject: Re: Weak rear brakes
>
> On weak rear brakes:
>
> It might also be that your rear hoses are bad; the rubber can go soft
> with age, allowing expansion when pressure is applied. They could
> also have swollen internally, possibly due to moisture or grease
> contamination, thus not permitting as much fluid to flow through as
> would be optimum for braking.
>
> I think it's doubtful you would ever notice either of the above in a
> casual inspection or while bleeding the brakes.
>
> Just a suggestion - hope it helps!
>
> Dan
>
> '57 TR3
> '77 Spit
> '97 Nissan truck
>
>
>
>
>
> >It is possible that your rear brake shoes are not close enough to
> >the drum. They
> >may need adjustment. Hopefully, you thoroughly cleaned all grease and oil
off
> >the drum and shoes prior to final assembly.
> >
> >Here is a quick test to find out. Pull the emergency to the point where
you
> >think the rear brakes start to do something, just a little drag.
> >Leave it set at
> >that position. This will load the brake shoes close to the drum.
> >Drive down the
> >street and apply the brakes. If the back brakes become effective,
> >then you need
> >to adjust your rear shoes. Release the emergency brake.
> >
> >Raise the rear wheels off the ground (just clear is good enough).
> >Spin the wheel
> >and move the adjuster until it starts to drag. Leave it at this setting
as the
> >shoes need to wear into the shape of the drum. Do both sides.
> >
> >Set the emergency brake to about half way. If you can still move the rear
> >wheels, you need to adjust the emergency brake cable. Adjust the cable
until
> >you can't move the rear wheels. Set the handle back to the off position.
You
> >should be able to move the rear wheels (remember they still should have
some
> >drag left on them).
> >
> >You will need to re-adjust the rears again in a couple of thousand
> >miles as the
> >shoes have now worn into the shape of the drum.
> >
> >Good luck.
> >
> >Vic Whitmore
> >76 Spitfire
> >Thornhill, Ontario
> >
> >Chris DeStaffany wrote:
> >>
> >> My 1975 spit has weak rear brakes. If I drive it on
> >> gravel, I can relatively easily lock up the front but
> >> no amount of pedal locks up the rears. I have
> >> replaced the rotors and pads on the front. Replaced
> >> the rear shoes and turned the drums. I have rebuilt
> >> the master cylinder and pdwa. I have bleed and
> >> adjusted the brakes many times. I have looked at the
> >> rears over and over and can't seem to find anything
> >> wrong. The cylinder moves and the adjuster seems to be
> >> working properly.
> >>
> >> The parking brake does not hold very well, but I'm
> >> thinking that that may be a streetched cable. Anyone
> >> out there got any ideas. I'm a little stumped right
> >> now.
> >>
> >> Chris DeStaffany
> >>
> >> ps I recently got help from the list rebuilding my
> >> PDWA. With help, I was able to determine that the
> >> switch was bad and now it works properly.
> >> Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
> >> http://auctions.yahoo.com/
>
> --
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Dan Buettner mailto:danb@thelittlemacshop.com
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|