Model A brake dramas

[glrose67]

Howdy,
I've got a 28 speedster and am having trouble with my front brakes. I've just put in new brake shoes, replaced the front brake wedge, put in new roller pins, brake shoe rollers and new brake floaters - the brake roller track is in great condition and has the correct spacing. The drum is well used and borderline for wear. I used a brake shoe alignment tool and the shoes are centred.

The problem is when I put the drum on it seems tight to fit (the adjusting wedge is wound out, and brake rod disconnected), and I can just turn it by hand, and when I do up the axle nut to hand tight I can hardly turn the drum. It should be spinning freely at this point.
Sorry for the long-winded message but I am at a loss - any ideas welcome.

[redmodelt]

Did you arc and fit the shoes to the drums first? Are the levers at about 15 degrees forward before you hook up the rods? What lining are you using? You might check the inside of the drum and see if the lining is rubbing on it. If so, put a 45 degree edge on the lining. Could be when the nut is drawn up, the edge of the lining is binding on the drum.

[Curtis in MA]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Did you arc and fit the shoes to the drums first? Are the levers at about 15 degrees forward before you hook up the rods? What lining are you using? You might check the inside of the drum and see if the lining is rubbing on it. If so, put a 45 degree edge on the lining. Could be when the nut is drawn up, the edge of the lining is binding on the drum.

I have read that advice for years and always thought that meant the short edges!
Never thought of the long outer edge.
Learn something new every day!

[glrose67]

Thanks for the suggestion - will try that

[Marshall V. Daut]

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M. Daut