Grinding Brakes

[1942wildbill]

'95 Olds Cutlass Ciera, 6 cyl., rear drum brakes. These brakes were replaced several years ago by an Olds mechanic. Shortly after, the rear brakes began grinding when applied. A check of the shoes revealed that the brakes are rubbing against the side of the drum. Bought new shoes from Autozone, exactly the same width of the previous set installed by Oldsmobile. Still grind on application. Ground 1/16" off the outside of each shoe, hoping that would clear the drum. Still grind. Any ideas about resolving this problem short of replacing the drum? That's my idea of last resort -- Bill

 

[RalphP2]

Replace the hold down hardware - the spring, post, and clip.

Sounds like the shoe eases away from the backing plate.

The OTHER choice would be to find change the brand of the shoes, in case the ones you're getting are the wrong size.

RwP

 

[revon]

Bill, Here's the deal, most likely someone used a pry bar or screw drivers and wedged them between the backing plate and the brake drum. When people do that without backing off the adjuster, it causes the backing plate to bend since it's weaker than the drum. Now you put new shoes in there and they rub because they aren't sitting squarely to the drum because the plate they are mounted on is bent. Replace or straighten the backing plates and you'll solve the problem. It's tough to know when they are straight if you're not familiar with where they were when they were straight, replacement may be your best option.

 

[crash55]

I agree with revon. but 1st I would look at the drum & see if the groove where the backing plate & drum meet to see if rust has built up.if the plate is bent with a little patience you have a chance of getting it quiet