64 C10 stepside-Rear Brakes?

[McCoyAZ]

Okay I started tinkering on my new toy and have a quick plea for help.....

I pulled the rear brake drums off to replace the wheel cylinders and now can't get them back on since it looks like the pads have expanded about 1/3 of an inch.

There has to be a secret that nobody at the parts house told me about.

And just in case you are an expert mechanic, be warned that I AM NOT.

I would be grateful for some constructive advice.

[SFTorange]

Fortunately, you've come to the right place!

Here is a link to some great information on the rear brakes from our trucks.
http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake

To adjust your brakes in, all you have to do is pull back the lever that presses against your star wheel (the gear on the bottom-center of your brakes) and turn the wheel to adjust the shoes in/out. You'll want to tighten the threads that the wheel is connected to in order to bring the shoes in.

The lever is there to keep the shoes from self-adjusting to a smaller size. The brakes are designed to self-adjust outward as the brake shoes wear down.

Hope this helps, and welcome aboard!

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Make sure the emergency brake cable is retracting far enough to let the shoes go back to the anchor. You may have to back up the e-brake cable till you get the drum on & the brake adjusted. Then you can adjust it back up. Make sure the cables are not binding in the conduits.

[McCoyAZ]

Thanks very much for the information.

Seems that turning that "star wheel" hasn't moved the shoes and it is very hard to turn so I lubed it last night and will see if today it turns easier.