[tahoe wheelers]

My camera is broke or I would of taken pics of the drum set-up before dissasemble. I have two jeep CJ manuels that are as usual little to no help. Searched the internet last night for an hour or so and no real help so I need yours.

Where does the e-brake attach too inside the drum on my amc 20? I think I can get the rest of the set-up but have no idea what it attaches to on the brake assembly.

Any write-ups on assembly of the drum brakes for this axle?

[slacker92104]

http://www.geocities.com/cantwait_forviolence/images/drum_brakes_setup.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/jeep_resources/images/dbrakes01.jpg

Hopefully one of these will help you out. There may be more info on this page too: It attaches to the parking brake lever. You can kind of see it in the picture.

http://www.geocities.com/cantwait_forviolence/nav.html

[jp360cj]

There should be a metal plate that swivels front to back is attached to the back shoe. towards the bottom of the plate are two pieces which stick out to make a "c". pull the springy sheath around the cable back, and slid the cable between these 2 prongs.


This probably isn't the world's greatest description, but i hope it helps

[tahoe wheelers]

Originally Posted by jp360cj

There should be a metal plate that swivels front to back is attached to the back shoe. towards the bottom of the plate are two pieces which stick out to make a "c". pull the springy sheath around the cable back, and slid the cable between these 2 prongs.


This probably isn't the world's greatest description, but i hope it helps

Bingo, I just couldnt see how it attached. Will go try that right now.

If it doesnt work I will read the links above.

Thanks fellas

[tahoe wheelers]

Alrighty then, got the drum brakes all assembled but now the drums wont fit over the brake shoes. I know that the adjuster on the bottom needs to be adjusted, just not sure of how to do it.

Also, how snug should the brake shoes be against the drum for proper brake wear?

Thanks

[CJeep]

Turn the star adjuster until it is about as small as it will go, this will pull the shoes in. The drum should then go on. Bolt the wheel back on, and adjust the star adjuster (from the slot in the backing plate) until the wheel can't spin freely. Then back off of the adjuster until the brakes drag a little and the wheel makes about 1 turn with an easyish push.

Then you have to drive it a back and forwards a bunch of times, and each time you use brakes to stop, they will self adjust to the correct preset - as long as you are in the ballpark with the star adjusters.

BTW: This may all be moot, unless you are using new drums, as often old ones build up a ridge on the lip of the drum, where the shoes do not wear the drum. Often new pads will be too thick to clear this ridge, and they will not go on easily or at all.

[jeepwhore]

And be sure you have the adjusters on the proper sides (one is reverse thread). If not, the brakes will actually loosen off every time you back up.

[tahoe wheelers]

Originally Posted by jeepwhore

And be sure you have the adjusters on the proper sides (one is reverse thread). If not, the brakes will actually loosen off every time you back up.

How do I know which one is reverse thread? I put everything back on the same side and kept all the components on the same sides.

[tahoe wheelers]

Originally Posted by CJeep

Turn the star adjuster until it is about as small as it will go, this will pull the shoes in. The drum should then go on. Bolt the wheel back on, and adjust the star adjuster (from the slot in the backing plate) until the wheel can't spin freely. Then back off of the adjuster until the brakes drag a little and the wheel makes about 1 turn with an easyish push.

Then you have to drive it a back and forwards a bunch of times, and each time you use brakes to stop, they will self adjust to the correct preset - as long as you are in the ballpark with the star adjusters.

BTW: This may all be moot, unless you are using new drums, as often old ones build up a ridge on the lip of the drum, where the shoes do not wear the drum. Often new pads will be too thick to clear this ridge, and they will not go on easily or at all.

I had the old drums turned, would that take down the ridge build up? Im not wanting to buy new drums as Im planning on selling both front and rear axles as Im swapping in a dana 60/70 combo as soon as I have all the other parts compiled.

[tahoe wheelers]

Well its all back together minus a driver rear brake line that I broke while bending. Will get one at the parts store tomorrow. And then maybe I can go for a ride tomorrow.

[CJeep]

Glad to see its working out. I'm sure you saw that getting the drums turned will make a level surface with no ridge.

[tahoe wheelers]

Ya its all back together, but the locker is acting up. Gonna go work on some here shortly.

Best deal is that Pep boys did the drums for free

[tahoe wheelers]

Got a friend to come over from one of my 4wheel clubs here in Reno and he's a mechanic and brought over all his fancy brake tools and checked my assembly, explained the mechanics of the brake system to me, and taught me how to bleed my brakes. Luckily I had my brother here to run the brake pedals so I could actually see how its done for once.

Best part is, he's a Toyota guy