Screwed up brakes

[gridleak]

Had a squeak in my driver side rear wheel and found the emergency brake shoe was rubbing the brake drum and thought I needed a shim. On further inspection it looks like the whole thing is wrong. The gap in the emergency shoe is at 5 o clock and not at 2 o clock as shown in all the diagrams I have looked at. The e brake part of the backing plate that covers this gap is also at 5 o clock. The brake lever points up, the connecting lever arches over the axle etc. etc. I think the brake shoe was on backwards also as the machined stops were on the outside.
Looks like a previous owner switched the right and left E brakes and which parts do I switch back?
I am afraid to look at the passenger side brake.

[tbirdtbird]

pix

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, as tbird said, a picture would be great.
Here is what you should have, and as you said, the sides must have been switched.
I'm not sure they could be switched and work though. How is the parking brake lever on the backside of the backing plate?

[hardtimes]

Here, if pics come up, left rear brake backing plate system...on my '30 roadster.
I'm with Tom's thinking here regarding switching/no switching. Do not think you can do that. I'll try locating some pics to show rear of backers.

Ok, if they show, pic in middle is left rear backer and third pic is right backer plate. Do not see how you can switch the two and make it work ,eh ?

[gridleak]

Will try and get you pictures. But as you will see they are backward to the shown pictures.
If it is impossible to put them on backward and still work someone created a miracle.
I hope that when I put them right that the ebrake band sits far enough back to not rub on brake drum.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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When you look carefully at the ebrake band, you will see it has only one side that fits correctly against the carrier.

[DANA BIZZELL]

TOM, You must have some stock in red grease, does wonders.
Thanks
Dana

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

When you look carefully at the ebrake band, you will see it has only one side that fits correctly against the band.

Tom...I think they are upside down and on the wrong side.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

Tom...I think they are upside down and on the wrong side.

I just edited my last post. It should have been fit against the "CARRIER", rather than "band".

[gridleak]

It took all afternoon but I think I have gotten the pictures attached. If its possible to get something wrong somebody will. You can see that the band has the wrong side facing out.
Believe it or not the brake worked fine.
I just set things back temporarily one pin is not in place.

[Tom Wesenberg]

OK, those pictures are as I expected, and I can see they would work, but aren't right. The arms on the backside, connected to the ebrake rods, need to be removed and the carrier plates need to be switch side for side so the inner arms are down and the stop tabs are at 2 o'clock on the left rear and 10 o'clock on the right rear. Then you'll need to reconnect the arms and springs on the rear side of the backing plates. Note that both the arms and springs are different and have a right and left orientation. Look at the angle of the arms where the pin fits to see that they angle slightly inward to match the frame taper and angle of the brake rods. The brake rods flat return springs mount to the rear side of the bracket to apply the most return pressure on the rods for both the service and ebrake.

I'm looking at the axle in the first picture and it looks like you have 2 axle shims, and a messed up thread. Did someone cut some of the threads off? They probably got mushroomed and were cut to get the nut on. Once the carrier plates and bands are installed correctly you may not need the shims. Was the axle key in place when you removed the drum?

In the second picture, I'd guess you have tube shocks and that's the black bracket I see. Also it looks like the service brake rod was cut and welded. I'd replace that, and again, that brake arm has a left and right to match the frame taper, so make sure it's also on the correct side.

[gridleak]

Are the only things that are side specific the back plate and the outsjde arms?
Yes I am in the process of installing tube shocks. I was hoping no one would note the buggered thread, I may have to rethread to 9/16.
The shims may be installed if required. they were not there originally.
Don't know why the axle was cut but there was a thin washer on the axle due to lack of threads. The axle nut bottoms out without a washer and not enough threads when using the proper washer.
What do you think about turning a bit off of the end of the brake drum hub and adding a couple more 5/8 threads on the axle? (I think I know)
Yes there was a key but it was badly worn.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by gridleak

It took all afternoon but I think I have gotten the pictures attached. If its possible to get something wrong somebody will. You can see that the band has the wrong side facing out.
Believe it or not the brake worked fine.
I just set things back temporarily one pin is not in place.

Wow, 'creativity' , eh But, you say it works... Hmm, pictures worth saving..as 'would you believe that a guy can reverse backer plates and install...nope !

Nothing wrong with using 'shims' on axle, as they are a 'blessing' when 80 year old parts are worn.
You will probably 'find out', as least somewhat, why a guy figured out this pictured jerrymandered way of installation...when you try to install the springs on the brake actuating arms , when these arms are in proper orientation !! And, NO cursing allowed

[gridleak]

Just when I thought things could not get worse I went to look at my engine and found it in crosswise. Took a while to come back to earth and realize I was looking at my Cadillac.