pint4 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 I have a 37 Packard 120 and am having problems with the brakes locking up. A very experienced mechanic rebuilt the entire brake system all the way from master cylinder to each and every wheel. He said the set-up process was very difficult. He followed the set-up and adjustment procedures as outlined in the Packard shop manual yet as he set things up, one by one he had to work at extensively adjusting each wheel because first one would lock up and then another and then another. Thought all were good to go and the car drove well for 100 miles and then this year for no apparent reason, the left rear locked up when coming to a stop at a light. More adjusting and seems to be working but based on its history, not confident the problem won't come back at the worst possible time. Has anyone had this problem? Is there a trick to setting up the brakes? As I mentioned, everything is new in the entire system. Any input would be appreciated. Hard to find people who still work on these older cars. Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Modern hard linings or soft woven....I did a 1508 with woven linings to correct erratic braking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wascator Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 You have oil or grease on the linings; try cleaning the lingong surface and drum surface with brake-clean solvent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 My first thought,but a backyard mechanic would see that,some car's are very hard to get right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 Can you provide a photo of the brakes or a drawing from the manual? We would do better if we knew what kind of brakes you are dealing with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pint4 Posted August 10, 2018 Author Share Posted August 10, 2018 Here is a picture of my brakes. Sorry it took so long but have spent more time in hospital than anywhere else over the past 2 weeks. Finally catching up on things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_in_nh Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Can you also show us a picture of the right rear brakes? A photo of inside the drums would help, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 I can't really tell by the photo but the primary and secondary shoes are in the right places aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 That looks to be a fairly standard brake system. Did you arc the shoes to be certain that the curve of the shoe matches the curve of the drum? Are the drums REALLY clean? Are the shoes REALLY clean? Have you bled all of the brake wheel cylinders from the farthest away from the master cylinder and working your way to the front? Sorry for the simple questions, but there are only so many things to check here. What is your location? Maybe a member near you can help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 So very sorry to hear of you spending time in the hospital. Hopefully, you are doing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) I always adjust the shoes to BARELY rub the drums. If you spin the drum and hear rubbing a little, that is fine. If you spin the drum and you hear intermittent rubbing, the drums may have to be turned. Be sure the brake shoes are seated in the right spots and centered on the backing plate. Edited August 11, 2018 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Looks like the edges of the linings were not beveled. If so, that can cause "grabbing" with self-energizing (single anchor) brake systems. You can bevel them on the car with a wood rasp file. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, PFitz said: Looks like the edges of the linings were not beveled. If so, that can cause "grabbing" with self-energizing (single anchor) brake systems. You can bevel them on the car with a wood rasp file. Paul YES! I forgot that part. That would be the ends of the shoe surfaces. Edited August 11, 2018 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) 35 minutes ago, keiser31 said: YES! I forgot that part. That would be the ends of the shoe surfaces. Thank you Keiser - yes, just bevel the ends, not all "edges". Had just finished another post about oil/grease seals and must had the word "edges" still on my mind. Paul Edited August 11, 2018 by PFitz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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