Do I need new actuation rods?
 

I'm working on a 31 coupe.

When I got the car, brakes were essentially non-existent. Stopping distance was well over 150 feet at 25 miles per hour.

Under the car, I found all clevis adjustments were maxed. Pulling the rods into the clevis pins. Wear patterns on the drums indicated that minimum friction was applied via the worn brake shoes.

I opted for completely rebuilt backing plates all the way around, new everything including drums. Also replaced the operating pins.

All that I purchased is going back together, except the front service rods. With 2 pills in, I'm still at about 23 degrees, leaning the arm levers too far forward for the rods to reach the crossbar. I'm off by about a half inch. The adjusting wedge is backed all the way out.

Long question - short, am I needing to replace the actuator rods or am I missing something else?

Re: Do I need new actuation rods?
 

Try taking the pills out, you only need 15 degrees forward.

Re: Do I need new actuation rods?
 

If you have new operating pins, you shouldn't really need them. Of course the way you are supposed to restore the actuating arms is welding up the lip that touches the pin and filing it back to factory.

Re: Do I need new actuation rods?
 

uggghhh. I was working against myself, huh?

Re: Do I need new actuation rods?
 

Yep