Rear brake shoes

digcot65

Member
A close friend has died and I`m checking his car over for his family Ive just fitted a new rear off side slave cyl as the original one was seized I need to refit the brake shoes ,have I got them round the correct way .Just top one in place to see They also seem to be a bit of a pig to get in place Len
 
Since Ive just fitted a new slave cyl.would it be best to bleed the brakes first before fitting the shoes,so the pistons are higher and the shows will fit into the slots+
 
Since Ive just fitted a new slave cyl.would it be best to bleed the brakes first before fitting the shoes,so the pistons are higher and the shows will fit into the slots+

Hi, err, no, you have to fit the shoes and the drum otherwise the pistons will be pushed out of the cylinder.

Colin
 
The top shoe in your pic shows some polishing in the centre of the web (spine?) which would indicate that that spot rested on a post on the backplate. IIRC the post is adjustable, by loosening a nut on the back. The cylinder pistons should be out far enough to have slots visible for the ends of the shoes to go into. The adjusters dont seem to have their 'pistons' fitted - also slotted for the shoe ends. The springs look correct, but the shoe ends are not placed in the pistons.
Year and model would help. The cylinder pistons should have the ends fitted to the boots so they stick out, not pushed right in. I used to have the springs fitted, put the top shoe in place in the piston and adjuster slots, then flex the bottom shoe outwards until you can get the shoe ends into the slots and swing it into place. Fit the drum, bleed the cylinder, press the pedal hard to centralize the shoes, adjust until locked, back off until drum turns, check that pedal is good, and handbrake works OK. If you have the shoes back where they were (same top and bottom, and facing same way),should be fine. The adjustable posts on the backplate allow you to ensure that the lining is parallel to the drum face, maximising area in contact. If not parallel the area is reduced, and the braking will be poor.
Youtube can help - springs should both be on the back of the shoes. Search for 'rover p4 rear braking'.
 
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Thanks very much for your help. The adjusters are slackened right off,so you cant see the pistons Its a 1963 Rover p4 110 Its in stunning condition the best Ive ever seen I thing the mileage of 57000 may be correct,as the late owner had it for 16 years and did less than 4000 miles in that time The family are going to sell it now Sadly I cant afford it . Len
 
I finally managed to fit the shoes and its fine It must be one of the most awkward set of shoes Ive fitted and Ive done a few Thanks again for you help Th P4 can now go back to the family to sell Whover gets it has a show stopper Low mileage and immaculate pity someone in the club isnt looking for one Len
 
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