How to install shims (pills)

[baba]

I need to shim the actuating rod in my front brakes. Would like to di it without taking the everything apart? I have the pills, just would like to find a way to insert them.

[Curtis in MA]

Take the wheel and hub off and slip them into the indent in the top of the wedge.

[MAG]

Raise the rod with needle nose pliers and slip the pill in as Curtis says.

[baba]

Thanks guys. I tried that but my fat fingers would not let me get the shim in place so I made a tool that spread the break shoes allowing the wedge to drop lower and let me put the shim in. Problem now is the after market shim did not seem to seat fully. My spreader holds the shoes far enough apart that I might be able to remove the wedge without disturbing anything. I will proceed with caution. I would post a picture if I can get SWMBO to show me how.

[[email protected]]

Easy to make your own brake pills.
A sheet of scrap sheet metal steel.
One old brake wedge
One old brake rod
One Hammer
Use the brake wedge in a vice and to use it as a punch die. Put a piece of steel on top of it and then hammer the rounded end of the brake rod on the metal into the hole of the “die”. It should punch out a new perfect sized pill…. Good luck…

[larrys40]

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It fairly simple to do it with everything together but has to be done this way. The later wedge studs with the flats make it easier as opposed to the full rounds.

Brake rod disconnected drum off force the actuating arm forcing the brakes on and wedge down fully. Place decent size screwdriver into the bottom of the wedge below the wedge stud outer washer. This holds the wedge downward.
Then take a pair of needle nose pliers and pull up the actuating pin which gives spaces between the wedge and pin. Hold your finger against the pin to hold it, then take the needle nose and with the cup up of the pill slip it into place on th top of the wedge. Once in the screwdriver below the wedge can be removed . Just takes a minute if all goes well.
It’s a matter of practice doing it a time or two and then you discover how cool and quick and easy it is. I have demonstrated this at some of the brake seminars I’ve given at the nationals. If you have the full circle style wedge studs it’s a bit tougher.

Give it try .
Larry Shepard

[old31]

You guys should make a video on making pills.

[SAXBY2]

Can one use 2 brake pills in the wedge without the vertical pin mushroom end coming out completely ? It seems that there is enough pressure to keep the pin in the wedge bore, though not as deep as without the pills.

[nkaminar]

A little grease will keep it in place when you install it.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by old31

You guys should make a video on making pills.

Excellent idea !!! I will put that in my tech list to do over the holidays . I’ll get something out there. Hope it helps.
Larry Shepard

[Certimafied]

Baba,
Good luck with getting your wedge out. I was in the same situation as you with the new pills not seating fully. Didn’t figure it out until it was wedged in there and had to do more work get to it again just as you.

Ended up having to take a small drill bit and drill a hole in the pill stuck in the wedge. Used a pick tool in the wedge to get the pill out. Then using my grinder, I took some material off of the pill. I used a piere of wire through the hole in the pill to hold it while I leaned it against the grinder wheel to spin the pill on the wire and take off material mostly evenly around the circumference of the pill. Go a little at a time until it fits in the wedge.


Or make one like the other guys, sounds easier in hindsight!

[ThirstyThirty]

Thanks

[ThirstyThirty]

Originally Posted by old31

You guys should make a video on making pills.

I would like to see it!

[whb52ford]

How do you know if the pill is too big for the wedge hole? Would like to put it in and not take it out. Measure the dia of the pin?

[nkaminar]

The pill should be slightly smaller than the hole in the wedge. Remove the all the springs and then unbolt the wedge holding mechanism. Remove the wedge and measure the hole. Measure the pill. Put the pill in the hole and tap it down with a drift and hammer to make sure it goes all the way in. Lightly grease everything and re assemble. Use very little grease and don't get any on the shoes.

Some instruction say to weld a little on the pin instead of using the pill.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by SAXBY2

Can one use 2 brake pills in the wedge without the vertical pin mushroom end coming out completely ? It seems that there is enough pressure to keep the pin in the wedge bore, though not as deep as without the pills.

In a word, no. I have tried that and the whole thing just fell apart. I resorted to lengthening the pin by laying it on a flat anvil and hitting it with a hammer while rolling it at the same time. I did that for the whole length of the pin - slow work but it gradually grew enough for me to get 15° on the levers with one pill.

[Mike1291]

If I recall correctly, you can put at least two pills into the wedge if you seat them in before installing the wedge. I used an old pin and a hammer to seat them in before installation.

[whirnot]

I'm Not sure why everyone uses Pills. In the few instances where I would need one, such as a pin too short, I just weld on top the end of the pin. and grind it down to fit the Wedge.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by whirnot

I'm Not sure why everyone uses Pills. In the few instances where I would need one, such as a pin too short, I just weld on top the end of the pin. and grind it down to fit the Wedge.

I guess not everybody has a welder at their disposal. Maybe others think the pill is easier.

[updraught]

Flathead Ted shows how to make and install shims at about 4:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EjRe411l3M