Front Brake help please
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 299
From: Cleburne Texas
Front Brake help please
If it pulls one way is the problem in the opposite wheel?
On my 64 I did a total replacement of all the brake hardware, shoes, rubber lines on all 4 corners plus new brake fluid. It has a slight pull on the front right that I have not been able to eleviate. I talked with a mechanic and he suggested that I needed to replace the left rubber hose. I did but it still pulls to the right. I have the brake adjusting tool that measures the inside diameter of the drum and you then place over the shoes and adjust the shoes to the tool so I feel the shoes are adjusted. Backing up and applying the brakes have not helped. Could it be one of the new wheel cylinders is the problem? I noticed that when replacing the hardware the new the wire rods were painted and seems to be thicker than the old bare wire rods. I sanded the paint off those that seemed to be binding. I am going to go back and check to see if did that on the both front brakes. Any suggestions on how to stop the pulling to the right would be greatly appreciated.
On my 64 I did a total replacement of all the brake hardware, shoes, rubber lines on all 4 corners plus new brake fluid. It has a slight pull on the front right that I have not been able to eleviate. I talked with a mechanic and he suggested that I needed to replace the left rubber hose. I did but it still pulls to the right. I have the brake adjusting tool that measures the inside diameter of the drum and you then place over the shoes and adjust the shoes to the tool so I feel the shoes are adjusted. Backing up and applying the brakes have not helped. Could it be one of the new wheel cylinders is the problem? I noticed that when replacing the hardware the new the wire rods were painted and seems to be thicker than the old bare wire rods. I sanded the paint off those that seemed to be binding. I am going to go back and check to see if did that on the both front brakes. Any suggestions on how to stop the pulling to the right would be greatly appreciated.
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If it pulls one way is the problem in the opposite wheel?
On my 64 I did a total replacement of all the brake hardware, shoes, rubber lines on all 4 corners plus new brake fluid. It has a slight pull on the front right that I have not been able to eleviate. I talked with a mechanic and he suggested that I needed to replace the left rubber hose. I did but it still pulls to the right. I have the brake adjusting tool that measures the inside diameter of the drum and you then place over the shoes and adjust the shoes to the tool so I feel the shoes are adjusted. Backing up and applying the brakes have not helped. Could it be one of the new wheel cylinders is the problem? I noticed that when replacing the hardware the new the wire rods were painted and seems to be thicker than the old bare wire rods. I sanded the paint off those that seemed to be binding. I am going to go back and check to see if did that on the both front brakes. Any suggestions on how to stop the pulling to the right would be greatly appreciated.
On my 64 I did a total replacement of all the brake hardware, shoes, rubber lines on all 4 corners plus new brake fluid. It has a slight pull on the front right that I have not been able to eleviate. I talked with a mechanic and he suggested that I needed to replace the left rubber hose. I did but it still pulls to the right. I have the brake adjusting tool that measures the inside diameter of the drum and you then place over the shoes and adjust the shoes to the tool so I feel the shoes are adjusted. Backing up and applying the brakes have not helped. Could it be one of the new wheel cylinders is the problem? I noticed that when replacing the hardware the new the wire rods were painted and seems to be thicker than the old bare wire rods. I sanded the paint off those that seemed to be binding. I am going to go back and check to see if did that on the both front brakes. Any suggestions on how to stop the pulling to the right would be greatly appreciated.
Dan
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,398
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From: Various places in Southern California.
A few questions and comments:
--Does it pull all the time? When the brakes are cold as well as when they are hot?
--Is the pull constant regardless of how hard you're hitting the brakes? Or is it in the initial "bite"?
--Do the shoes show even wear (forward to back shoe and top to bottom of the shoes)?
--Can you drive the car for a bit and then measure the drum temp side to side?
When I adjust drum brakes, I like to get them to the point where the shoes are contacting the drum, then back them off one click. I find that if one side is adjusted closer than the other, the initial bite will cause a pull, but that is transitory as the other side contacts the drum. (I know the adjusters should take care of this, but that doesn't always seem to work).
--Does it pull all the time? When the brakes are cold as well as when they are hot?
--Is the pull constant regardless of how hard you're hitting the brakes? Or is it in the initial "bite"?
--Do the shoes show even wear (forward to back shoe and top to bottom of the shoes)?
--Can you drive the car for a bit and then measure the drum temp side to side?
When I adjust drum brakes, I like to get them to the point where the shoes are contacting the drum, then back them off one click. I find that if one side is adjusted closer than the other, the initial bite will cause a pull, but that is transitory as the other side contacts the drum. (I know the adjusters should take care of this, but that doesn't always seem to work).
Pro
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 579
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From: Southeastern Indiana
If you pull off the drums you can see where the shoes are rubbing and likley the side that is pulling to has more contact aera, it's called arching the shoes to fit. Sand a little off the bottom of the shoe to allow the shoe to lay down and fit better or go for a spirited drive and seat them in. Grease from a rear axel seal leaking on the rear shoes will cuase pulling problems also but likley you need to just seat in the new shoes.
I am assuming you know there is a primary and secondary shoe. Shorter shoe up front putting it pressure on the secondary shoe.
I am assuming you know there is a primary and secondary shoe. Shorter shoe up front putting it pressure on the secondary shoe.
Last edited by Whatscooking; Dec 31, 2025 at 02:21 PM.
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I’ll add that the star adjusters need to go in the correct way or every time you back up and brake, the shoes will loosen. If that happens on one side, you may experience a pull on the other side.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: San Juan Islands Washington
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Another important factor that often is overlooked is drum diameter. If the drums were machined and one is .050 over and the other is just .015, that can cause a pull. I always make sure that all drums are equal when relining drum brakes. Also remember that a rear brake can feel like a front pull sometimes. Does it yank the steering wheel or just pull the car to the side some. If the later it could be a rear brake. Good luck.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Really Central IL Illinois
I would jack up the front, hit the brakes hard, then release them and try to turn them. If one turns harder than the other it may not be releasing. Then try the rear brakes the same way. They will cause a pull under braking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Central Michigan
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I have seen shoes with friction issues. Try swapping the shoes left and right (leave the springs on the same side) and see if anything changes.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2024
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From: Florida
One click tighter on the left side.. If that helps but not enough, go one click at a time until it stops straight
LIft it with a jack and roll the wheel each time to make sure its not too tight everytime you give it one click of adjustment
LIft it with a jack and roll the wheel each time to make sure its not too tight everytime you give it one click of adjustment
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,062
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From: Freehold NJ
Another important factor that often is overlooked is drum diameter. If the drums were machined and one is .050 over and the other is just .015, that can cause a pull. I always make sure that all drums are equal when relining drum brakes. Also remember that a rear brake can feel like a front pull sometimes. Does it yank the steering wheel or just pull the car to the side some. If the later it could be a rear brake. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Central Michigan
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