Drum brake question

[scotts72heavyhalf]

So I completely rebuilt the rear end in my 69 C10 and used the original componets to finish the rear brakes with exception to the shoes and the wheel cylinders, ended up with a soft pedal, tore it down and noticed I put swapped the adjusters so they would loosen up instead of expand the shoes noticed the adjusting arms looked a bit worn so I bought a rebuild kit from NAPA and tore all the old springs, adjustment arms and screw adjusters, I noticed they are marked L & R side, but when I compaired them to the original ones still mounted they are opposite standing behind my truck looking forward the left side would be R and the right side L, the parking brake cable and everything else is correct, What the heck? I put everything back like it was with the new parts and good pedal and brakes. just wondering if anyone had the same issue??

Thanks

[Mustard72]

So it works right with the R marked parts on the left side, and vise versa?

[scotts72heavyhalf]

yep, it looks like its the only way it would work as the parking brake cable comes in from the front or engine side of the backing plate and connects to the adjustment arm. I should of snapped a pic. anyone have a picture of a drum brake set-up handy?

[Mustard72]

I don't have a pic from Mustard, but I'm wondering if the R and L refers to when you are looking at it from the side of hte truck (R from the passenger side of the truck would mean the adjusting arm would go on the right side of the drum assembly, or toward the front of the truck). Just guessing... Hopefully somebody will chime in soon that actually knows what they're talking about...

[TBONE1964]

I believe the L and R refer to right hand thread and left hand thread.

When installed correctly, the adjusting arms will both be toward the rear of the truck and are left / right side specific.

When the adjusters are installed correctly they will ratchet the adjuster to expand it. To release or retract the adjuster, the adjusting arm has to be held away from the adjuster.

If you have the brakes installed and the adjusters are completely retracted (closed) and you can not turn the adjuster because it is binding on the adjusting arm, then the adjusters are installed on the wrong side.

I attached a photo hope this helps.

Note: the photo is showing a driver side brake assembly.

[scotts72heavyhalf]

yep, the rearend shop that built my posi unit installed the adjustment arms on the forward shoe completly opposite of the correct way, I spent the morning R&R the drum brake to be correct, just as in the picture. Thanks guys! If you want it done right do it yourself as always!

[jocko]

I believe L and R are L and R (sides). Should be installed such that (referencing your pic above) that the embossed area under the light blue spring (hold-down, not the one that is shown in side-view) is in contact with the shoe's metal surface - i.e. the REST of the adjusting arm spring should NOT be in contact with the shoe's metal inner flat surface (hold down face). So, a little grease under the lt blue spring and UNDER the adjusting arm should be the "contact surface" with the flat metal part of the shoe - the rest of the adj arm should be slightly elevated and not in contact.