story of a 1957 drum brake

[Jay Friedman]

While I have no specific suggestions, based on experience with my '49 with similar Bendix brakes (but no power booster), I have the following general suggestions:

1. Have master and wheel cylinders sleeved with brass or stainless steel;

2. Replace all metal hydraulic lines with stainless steel line;

3. Replace periodically rubber hydraulic hoses;

4. Use correct lining, as I have found some suppliers provide lining more appropriate for large trucks which is "slicker" and doesn't work well on our cars.  Grind a small bevel at each end of the linings.

5. Before installing shoes, using white lithium grease or Lubriplate lightly grease all points where there is metal-to-metal movement, including all parts of star wheel adjuster, metal "pads" where shoes contact backing plate, both ends of "strut rod" for hand brake on rear brakes, both ends of retracting springs and spring under star wheel, retainers and both ends of pins which go through guide springs which hold shoes to backing plate;

6. Do a "major" brake adjustment, which involves adjusting the "anchor pin" at top of the shoes in order to center the shoes within the drum.  Instructions are in the shop manual.  (The procedure differs somewhat from year to year: on a '49 the anchor pin is an eccentric, while on a '55 you use a hammer to tap the backing plate and the anchor pin to center it.  Don't know on '57s.)

[Jay Friedman]

One more point: after installing new linings or buying new shoes with linings installed, have the linings "arced" to the drums; that is, have the linings turned on a machine so that they are same radius as the drums.  This is important if the drums have been turned in the past.  Some but not all brake shops can do this.

[chevyunger]

We replaced everything but the booster, which the shop restored. They were familiar with the booster because mercedes-benz uses the same one in the 50s too.
Making the pads fit the drums was difficult, they told us. Next time they suggest to use new drums.

[brian faull clc#25881]

Did they ever measure the drums to see if they are still good?

[Eldovette]

The Mercedes type brake Booster looks identical, but they are not interchangeable. And also the internals are different, too!