23 replies to this topic

[Waffs1984]

Hi all,

I have a problem! Got new rear drums, cylinders, shoes and springs - fitted the drivers side last night no problems. Came to fitting the passenger side tonight and i cannot get the drum over the discs for the life of me. Its like the shoes have too much material on them?

My adjuster is free and working, and i have had it set to as far inwards as it will go to give maximum clearance for the drum to slide on. I'm stumped as to why it simply will not go on!

Any ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Matt.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

silly one i know but is the handbrake level trapped on or the cable trapped as that would push the shoe outwards ??

Edited by Saxo-Fiesta-Mini, 02 November 2009 - 10:24 PM.

[Waffs1984]

silly one i know but is the handbrake level trapped on or the cable trapped as that would push the shoe outwards ??

I thought that might be the case so i took the pin out of the connection on the backplate so the arm was completely slack and still no joy!

Edited by Waffs1984, 02 November 2009 - 10:30 PM.

[olds_kool_lews]

some shoes (especially the cheaper ones) do have slightly to much material fitted, try comparing the good sides shoes with the bad, see if theres any difference, if not it might be the drum thats out of shape, ive known some to be egg shape, but look fine to the naked eye! if still no joy try take them back and swapping them for another set!

[Waffs1984]

Hmmm well that's a bummer if that's the case! Surely if the drum was egg shaped, it would fit in a certain position as i was trying to rotate whilst fitting?

It may well be the shoes - is there any way i can give them a quick file to remove a tiny amount of material?

[Hekmat]

You can try applying some copper grease (the one for brakes) that should help move things. Also have you made sure the shoes are the right way around since I know that causes the same issue.

[Jake Blues]

I'm assuming the advice to put copper slip (correct term) on the brake shoes is not serious!!!
Did all 4 shoes come in the same box? Again...sounds obvious but check that they are pairs and the leading edge/trailing edge shoes are the right way round..

[Waffs1984]

I could try some copper grease on there, i assume normal copper slip grease is not ok to use?

IIRC (its been a while since i did drum brakes!) the shoes are all identical, but they have to be installed the correct way up? In this instance then yes, they are installed the same way as they came off.

Is my idea of filing the shoes down a bit not recommended? I think it literally only needs a cats c**k hair off but this is the reason i'm stumped as its so damn close!

[Waffs1984]

I'm assuming the advice to put copper slip (correct term) on the brake shoes is not serious!!!
Did all 4 shoes come in the same box? Again...sounds obvious but check that they are pairs and the leading edge/trailing edge shoes are the right way round..

I thought they came as 4 identical shoes? How would i know which were leading and trailing?

Yes they came out of the same box

[Jake Blues]

Copperslip (copper based grease) is for using on the mechanical parts of the brake system ie the adjuster...take it out completely, grease it then refit. You can also use it on the handbrake linkage but DO NOT put it anywhere near the shoe material or drum!!! Very dangerous!!
Have you tried the non-fitting drum on the other side? That should show you whether it is egged.

[Waffs1984]

No i haven't had chance to swap the drums over, will try later today/tomorrow.

Am i correct in that the shoes do not come in matched pairs?

[Jake Blues]

They do but each shoe has a leading and a trailing edge. You have to fit them the right way round according to direction of rotation. by the way Don't assume that the way they were fitted before was correct...use a manual!

[GraemeC]

I seem to remember someone having a problem a few months back and that proved to be cheap shoes that weren't made to tolerance. You might find something with a search....

[Waffs1984]

Okies, i'll go have a search.

As for cheapo shoes - they are the ones from minispares ~ £8. Cannot remember the brand off hand but they were random (not mintex, EBC etc)

[Jake Blues]

As for cheapo shoes - they are the ones from minispares ~ £8.

Cheap then !! £8 for a set of 4 is ridiculously cheap........never ever scrimp on brakes or tyres in a Mini...not good practice my friend!