Rear brakes

CJhollic · 01-20-2008, 05:38 PM

I put in a new set of rear brakes a few weeks back. The right side works fine.

The left side works fine for about 10 miles. At that point they start squealing. At first just a little, then a lot. I can pull the hub off, inspect everything, put the hub back on, readjust the brakes and the pattern starts all over. I compared left to right and everything is identical.

Are both adjusters (right and left) the same? Could one have left hand threads so the brakes get out of adjustment? I put new ones on but did not compare them.

The brake pads on both shoes show a 45 degree wear at the etreme upper edge of the pads.

Any ideas?

**flashawk** · 01-20-2008, 05:46 PM

Is the drum to hot to touch when you finally stop? I replaced both of my star wheels and they sold me a right and a left. Did you turn the drums to brake the glaze? They shouldn't be wearing they way they are so soon.

**BESRK** · 01-20-2008, 05:47 PM

The adjusters are left/right specific... left hand thread and right hand thread.

CJhollic · 01-20-2008, 09:33 PM

I bet they sold me two right sides. Any idea which way you would have to turn the star wheel on the left side to expand the brakes?

CJhollic · 01-20-2008, 10:05 PM

Ok back to the drawing board. The adjuster is marked L and has the opposite thread as the one marked r.

The drum is not hot to the touch as asked by flashawk.

**flashawk** · 01-20-2008, 10:18 PM

I was just thinking about the way you're brakes are worn, that's got to have something to do with you're problem. What size drums do you have? If I remember right, they should be 10 inches and if you have the wrong size shoes (to small), that could cause them the ware like you described.

OldSailor · 01-21-2008, 12:05 AM

The adjusters are not the same. Left is different from right - opposite threads.

krazyzigzagger · 01-21-2008, 05:59 AM

Right hand thread goes on left rear, left hand thread goes on right rear.

CJhollic · 01-21-2008, 12:08 PM

Anyone know whether the stock 1980 cj 7 came with 1 7/8 rear brake shoes or 2"?

**Mike Romain** · 01-21-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJhollic

Anyone know whether the stock 1980 cj 7 came with 1 7/8 rear brake shoes or 2"?

Depends on the package I believe. You have to measure the drum. The smaller one will leave a slight ridge on the outside of the drum so if it is exact to 2", but if that includes some rusty ridges, it is the smaller one.

Oh, when adjusters are on the wrong side, the brakes loosen off, not get too tight.

CJhollic · 01-21-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Romain

Depends on the package I believe. You have to measure the drum. The smaller one will leave a slight ridge on the outside of the drum so if it is exact to 2", but if that includes some rusty ridges, it is the smaller one.

Oh, when adjusters are on the wrong side, the brakes loosen off, not get too tight.

Too late for that, I htrew the old drums and shoes away. I may buy a pair of two inch shoes and see if that fixes the problem.

**Mike Romain** · 01-21-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJhollic

Too late for that, I htrew the old drums and shoes away. I may buy a pair of two inch shoes and see if that fixes the problem.

You can use either/or as long as you use a matching set.

If you now have new and the drum doesn't get hot or have any new notches worn in it with metal shavings laying around, then you should be looking for other causes of the wheel noise. What shape is the wheel bearing in? Is the backing plate bent or showing fresh wear marks any place?

Fourtrail · 01-21-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJhollic

I compared left to right and everything is identical.

They should not be identical. They should be mirror opposites. If they are identical they would adjust tighter every time you hit the brakes. Which sounds like what is happening.

CJhollic · 01-21-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Romain

You can use either/or as long as you use a matching set.

If you now have new and the drum doesn't get hot or have any new notches worn in it with metal shavings laying around, then you should be looking for other causes of the wheel noise. What shape is the wheel bearing in? Is the backing plate bent or showing fresh wear marks any place?

I replaced wheel bearings at the same time. There are no metal shavings or wear marks in the drum. That is what is driving me nuts. I have replaced many sets of rear brakes. It just doesnt make sense.

No wear marks on the backing plate.

Keep the ideas coming. This has to be something simple I am over looking. A synopsis: New wheel bearings, new inner and outer seals, new flange on the axle, new drums, new shoes all new hardware. Right side works fine, left squeals after about ten miles.

Thanks for all the help///

**flashawk** · 01-22-2008, 12:42 AM

What if you're star wheel is in back wards or seized up? That might cause the brake shoes the ware at the bottom opposite the wheel cylinder while driving. Once the excess is worn (after 10 miles) the squealing stops. I still think it might have something to do with you're star wheel (broken, buggered threads). Who knows? You asked to keep the ideas coming, I'm just pondering over here.