Need urgent help!! Drum brakes on fire!!

kdog_x · Mar 30, 2005

Ok, I just replaced the wheel cylinder on the drivers side rear because it was leaking a little bit, when I looked at it I also noticed that the shoe lining was cracked. I figured this was odd since I just did the brakes about 1 month ago. So I got everything installed and went for a ride, I stopped after driving about a mile and I could see smoke coming from the wheel well. So I drove back home and pulled the wheel back off. Everything looks like it's OK, but the drum was smoking like crazy. I don't know what to do to this thing, but I have to drive it to work in the morning, anyone have any suggestions?

kdog_x · Mar 30, 2005

I've got some pictures here

http://www.chicagowebsearch.com/pix/pic1
http://www.chicagowebsearch.com/pix/pic2
http://www.chicagowebsearch.com/pix/pic3
http://www.chicagowebsearch.com/pix/pic4

Does everything look OK, I'm puzzled because the other side seems to be just fine.

NKau · Mar 30, 2005

For whatever reason, it sounds like the brake on that side is hung up. Try backing the shoe off by turning the little star-adjuster wheel through that hole in the drum backing plate. I'd say just pull the drum off and do it, but I'm guessing the shoe has dug into the drum pretty good, creating a groove that won't allow you to pull it off until it's 'backed off' first.
When you drive in reverse, it should reset itself after you have backed it off. Give it a try and see if it gives you the same trouble. Could be a problem with the new wheel cylinder.

kdog_x · Mar 30, 2005

Thats the strangest part, the adjusting wheel is adjusted all the way inward, yet it still is hanging up. I could just barely fit the drum over the shoes, so I figured it was where it needed to be. I don't see anything wrong with the way I set it up though, so I dont know what else to do.

astronut1885 · Mar 30, 2005

Switch to rear disc lol. I would check to make sure the cylinder is retracting, make sure everything is back in place, and make sure no fluid is leaking in to the drum and burning off.

04sleeper · Mar 30, 2005

From the pictures it looks as if the left cylinder is not in all the way.

kdog_x · Mar 30, 2005

How do I check if the cylinder is retracting?

Daggar · Mar 30, 2005

kdog_x said:
Need urgent help!! Drum brakes on fire!!

Ok, I just replaced the wheel cylinder on the drivers side rear because it was leaking a little bit, when I looked at it I also noticed that the shoe lining was cracked. I figured this was odd since I just did the brakes about 1 month ago. So I got everything installed and went for a ride, I stopped after driving about a mile and I could see smoke coming from the wheel well. So I drove back home and pulled the wheel back off. Everything looks like it's OK, but the drum was smoking like crazy. I don't know what to do to this thing, but I have to drive it to work in the morning, anyone have any suggestions?

Ummmm.... put the fire out? That's my suggestion.

astronut1885 · Mar 30, 2005

The little bars in the middle that come out should be well within the cylinder. If they are not, then it is not retracting, and it's basically holding the brakes on the whole time. if nothing else, try cracking the bleeder valve, and then retracting the cylinder. Relieveing the pressure might help it retract. I hate drum brakes lol.

83GtConvert · Mar 30, 2005

Daggar said:
Ummmm.... put the fire out? That's my suggestion.

Damn you you got there quicker, good thing i read all the posts first

kdog_x · Mar 31, 2005

Ummmm.... put the fire out? That's my suggestion.

Wow, I wish you would've posted that earlier -- maybe I'd still have a car

kdog_x · Mar 31, 2005

Just kidding on that last post.

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm not sure what was wrong with it, but the cylinder was retracting fine. I couldn't find anything else wrong so I just pulled the shoes and springs off and just reattached everything, it seems to be working fine now.

NKau · Mar 31, 2005

astronut1885 said:
The little bars in the middle that come out should be well within the cylinder. If they are not, then it is not retracting, and it's basically holding the brakes on the whole time. if nothing else, try cracking the bleeder valve, and then retracting the cylinder. Relieveing the pressure might help it retract. I hate drum brakes lol.

Take astronut1885's advice. I don't see what else could possibley be wrong, unless something with you're e-brake is messed up. With the shoes completely backed off, there should be a decent gap for you to slide the drum over, even with new pads. Good luck.

Need urgent help!! Drum brakes on fire!!

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