drum brakes questions

[kdog_x]

yesterday I took off my drums to try and find out why my parking brake was binding. Turns out the passenger side had a broken wheel cylinder, so I fixed the wheel cylinder and I bled the brakes. I took it for a ride and the pedal was spongy and engaging kinda low, so I bled the brakes again. The pedal is still doing the same thing -- do I need to bleed any of the other brakes as well? The pedal was nice and stiff before I replaced the wheel cyl.

Also, on the driver's side, when I pulled the drum off I noticed that the self adjusting cable was snapped, could that have anything to do with it?

 

[PNY PWR]

Did you adjust the shoes with the adjusting wheel? If the shoes aren't close enough to the drum that will happen. They are supposed to be self adjusting if they are close enough to grab the drum. Rolling in reverse you hit the brakes and they are supposed to adjust.

You shouldn't have to bleed anything else.

 

[FrdMustangCpe]

how hard/did it cost (parts)to change the wheel cylinder/shoes. i have to replace a wheel cylinder and i would probably change the shoes while im in there. when i go to school, half of the day i will be in a autoshop w/a lift, air tools, etc. ill wait to do it unitl then

 

[PNY PWR]

It's easy, just do wheel cylinders, all the hardware, and shoes. Don't forget to resurface or replace the drums.

 

[kdog_x]

so I should spread the shoes apart a little with the wheel and then they'll adjust right. I don't know how long it's been broken, but I never noticed it. Do I need that self adjuster cable for the other side?

As far as price goes, I didn't replace the shoes or resurface the drums, so I don't know what the cost is (they last a really long time), but the wheel cylinder was only $10 at Autozone.

 

[FrdMustangCpe]

o well thats not too much at all. drums just look intimidating for some reason, probably because i never really worked on them. looks like if you pull out the wrong spring the whole thing will come apart. lol

thanx

 

[kdog_x]

It's not that bad, just remember to keep the other side intact so you have a reference in case you can't put them back together.

 

[kdog_x]

thanks for the help, adjusted the star thing and they're back to normal.

 

[PNY PWR]

Glad you got it working right.