Hey guys, I have rear drum brakes, and it seems like my car has never had good braking. The other day I had the car up on jackstands and was running it, and found that i couldnt even stop the rear wheels from turning somewhat at idle - I have a friend with an iroc that does the same thing, but I'm sure that the rear brakes should be better than that.

The back brakes look to be in good condition - any ideas as to why they're so weak?

Thanks

 

Get some emery cloth and scuff up the drums in a cross hatch pattern. Then adjust them. If still no help, bleed them. Still no help, how are your wheel cylinders? How are the lines? Is your res low and or losing fluid?

Edit: Make sure they arent glazed (thats what the scuffing of the drums is for), if they keep getting that way, lay off the brake stands until you have a line lock.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll try doing that - by the way, I've only done two short brakestands in two years of owning the car

 

Yea, I only say that because I did a couple of really long ones (sounds bad I know, pervert). Evidently It attracted the cops. The glazing on the brakes that is, must have thought it was supposed to go with my fresh doughnuts. mmmmm glazed doughnuts.

 

2 thoughts:

You may want to just try adjusting them with a brake spoon - I'm not any good at it, but my brother adjusted mine one day and it made a worls of difference in my drums.

Another thought - make sure the self adjusters are on the correct wheels - double check the way they turn compared to any other rear drum GM car. I once redid my rear brakes, and put the adjusters in on the wrong sides - the effect is that they loosened the adjustment when you reverse instead of tighten the adjustment - making your brake adjustments way too loose every time you backup and hit the brakes. As well they will try to overtighten themselves when you brake going forward, and thus you will glaze the drums quickly.