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I was installing new parking brake shoes, SS kit, and after I put it all together, I realized that the wheel hub bolts interfere with the retaining cup on the center of the parking brake (the cup which retains the center spring for each parking brake). It is rubbing against the bolts only for the left shoe retaining cup. This is a major issue particularly when I spin the wheel hub in reverse, and the retainer gets caught up against the bolt head, and can force the shoe to radially come out (which would cause dragging brakes & potentially destroy the spring). The cup is properly installed (turned 90 degrees from the pin)
I am attaching a picture, where you can see the wheel hub bolt head touching the retaining cup. Any idea why this might be happening?? A bit lost here. I did not install a new pin. It is almost as if the old pin is too long. what could be causing this, and how do I fix it?
You didn't remove the axle when installing correct? So, you have to pull the shoes again and check it. FYI, I never use new SS parts out of the bag. I have to fit them every time. The hold down pins are stamped and not sharp like an arrowhead, could cause an issue. Star wheels are borderline too long at time, shoes may not collapse enough and hit the ID of the rotor hat.
One of the two retaining pins can't really be removed with the axle in place... probably that one Pulling the axle and getting a properly sized pin would be the right answer.
I can't remember if there's any access to the rear of that pin at all, short of taking it all apart again about the only thing you might be able to do would be to at some c-clips under the head of that pin (if you can get to it) to "shorten" the pin to the correct length.
M
Thanks for the replies. This is helpful in thinking about next steps. I did not remove axle during this install. I kept the original pins and did not replace them during this install. Only used new retaining cups and springs. I have old starwheel, will check to see if length if different.
@Mooser , yes, it that pin (rear pin on passenger side) which is not removable with axle in place. I will take a look later today to see if i can slide some sort of shim underneath it's head from the back. I will also compare pin length of the removable pin to the one I got in my kit, and update the thread.
It looks to me like the brake shoe retaining pin is installed backwards.....that head you have circled in red should be against the backing plate and the other end secures the holdown spring and cap.
The pin is not installed backwards, what you're seeing in my previous picture is the retaining cup.
I measured the geometry of retaining cup, also pin length, they are all comparable (within 0.2mm).
Although not pictured, the new star wheel was same length as old one. One issue I did have was the jaws of the new starwheel were too narrow, and wouldn't fit over the brake shoe bracket. I had to file down the jaws such that they were wider and fit smoothly over the brake shoe bracket. I measured with calipers, it was about 0.20mm narrower than old starwheel.
Last edited by roamin' around; Sep 1, 2023 at 12:46 AM.
Above pictures were for drivers side wheel, I decided to put that one together before removing passenger wheel. This side didn't appear to have any bolt head rubbing on center spring retainer cups.
I will take apart passenger side next, and investigate more on the rubbing tomorrow. My parking brake kit came with two C shaped shims, which are nearly impossible to install behind the pin head, since they keep falling off (even on the pin which is accessible). I added some red &tacky grease, but they fall off too easily. I will try again.
Regarding access to the rear pin on passenger side, it is covered, so I can't add a shim in there , or easily check its length.
One question I did have, is when I install the shoes with the bottom return spring and star wheel, I noticed the star wheel interferes with the spring quite badly, so much so that it's difficult to turn the star adjuster wheel. Is this by design or just terrible quality aftermarket parts? It renders the star wheel almost non-turnable, also prevent bottom return spring from functioning properly.
Spring interferes with star adjuster wheel. Problem is worse if I align the top of the shoes.
Last edited by roamin' around; Sep 1, 2023 at 12:49 AM.
These are two installs without the spindles (I believe one is from gtr1999s)
The spring does hit the star wheel. I believe that it's on purpose to hold it in place since there's no other ratchet mechanism.
M
And I'll also through out there that lots of people seem to have problems with the stainless pads not fitting correctly for whatever reason (wrong shape?) and use the stainless hardware but stick to regular pads
M
yeah those look like my pictures. Starwheel is machined shorter and pins filed to an arrowhead.
One of the problems is that guys buy these kits and think they good as it and bolt them in. Sometimes that's doesn't work and the first timer doesn't realize it. Not pointing any fingers just saying what I see and have to do to EVERY SS parking kit I bought the past 20 years.
Interesting for sure. I'm shocked by design the spring interferes with starwheel. I guess I was lucky my starwheel length was good. I did hear about the pads not to be on SS bracket, and I actually bought pads elsewhere which are not on SS.
My issue still remains with the retaining cups and the bolt heads. Not sure if I'll have time today to investigate in more detail, if not, il be back in a month.
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Originally Posted by Mooser
These are two installs without the spindles (I believe one is from gtr1999s)
The spring does hit the star wheel. I believe that it's on purpose to hold it in place since there's no other ratchet mechanism.
M
Makes sense...that's why it clicks when we adjust it.
Here is steel napa ones to try..
my original disintegrated here, and has great advice and pictures diagrams folks helped me with. Ss is nice but ithink I’ll get another 40 years https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-please-2.html
Parking Brake Issue Help!
Pulling the axle and getting a properly sized pin would be the right answer.
, or easily check its length.
