Rear Brakes Won't Bite

[BigRandy]

Swapped the rearend in mt 74 C10 and was checking everything out before the test drive and noticed the back brakes didn't seem to have much bite. I haven't driven the truck much since I got it almost a year ago and can't say for sure if I had the problem before the swap. It's always had good pedal and stopped.

I checked the shoes before setting the rearend in place so I could change them if needed but the looked almost new. Before the first test run I bled the lines behind the hub - good, clean, solid stream now and a good firm pedal.

Ran it on jack stands and the wheels will stop but they didn't grab as expected. Took it for a short drive and tried to lock'em up using the e-brake (adjusted firm at half pedal) and it coasted to a stop. Did this 2-3 times and checked the temp with a laser thermometer and they were 118 degrees. Front brakes seem to be doing way more work than expected and heat up quickly.

The hubs are smooth. Not cuts or grooves.

Do you think cheap shoes would cause this? I'd be looking at a MC, valve or WC but they won't even bite hard with me standing on the e-brake.

Thanks!

[Dead Parrot]

Have you stomped the brakes a few times while going in reverse? That is what causes the self adjuster to adjust.

[BigRandy]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

Have you stomped the brakes a few times while going in reverse? That is what causes the self adjuster to adjust.

That was it. I'm still relearning what I forgot over the past 35 years.

Hit it maybe 15 times in reverse and it stops on a dime now.

Thanks for the tip!