HELP NEEDED... Front Brake Assy - 31 Commander 70

[slowjim]

I am really close to completing my 31 Commander project.  We have a strange situation on the front brake assembly.  Everything appears to be placed correctly, but when we put the drum on and finger tighten the castle nut, the wheel binds up tightly and can't be turned.  If the brake shoes are not put in the assembly, and the drum is installed, it will turn freely.  There are no signs of the brake shoes hitting the drum.  We can even see a gap when you look through the adjustment hole.

 

Pictures are attached.  Does anyone see what I am missing?

[SC38dls]

Is the drum going too far on the spindle therefore hitting the side of the shoes?  Chalk the side of the shoes and try the drum. Then take it off and see if the chalk is on the inside of the drum surface. If so the shoes are too wide or the bearings are not correct either on the spindle or drum allowing it to go in too far. Just a wild guess on my part. Were these original shoes resurfaced or replacement shoes?  
dave s 

[(S)]

Take the Right side drum and put it on the Left.  It will help figure out if it is the spindle, or race/ bearing.    Put the Left on the right.....  

Edited February 7, 2023 by (S) (see edit history)

[Tom Devoe]

Are you replacing the return springs?  Myself and a friend need them for our cars, and they don't seem to be available.  If you've bought them new, where did you get them?

[Gary_Ash]

Model 70 brakes were changed after car serial number 8,034,038.  What is your s/n and are you sure you got the right parts for your car?

[slowjim]

Thanks for the different ideas.

The brake shoes were re-lined and the bearings are new.  Everything else is original from this car.

The shop was planning on trying the chalk markings to see where the contact is being made.  I'll find the results tomorrow.

I believe that they already tried switching from left to right and got the same result.

 

Just to confirm... are the front and back brakes interchangeable?

 

 

[studerex]

Back off the eccentric and loosen the anchor pins. 

[slowjim]

THAT'S IT !!!

 

Thank You Studerex !!! 

I didn't realize the real purpose of the eccentrics.  I thought that they were more of a retainer.

Once we loosened them and made adjustments, everything works as it should.

This forum is the absolute best.... Hopefully we will have the car on the road by early Summer.

Thanks Again