Drum brake cylinders and handbrake cable

[D366Y]

You need to release the adjuster and push the shoes inwards. Using a small screwdriver put it between the adjuster and the round post on the lever and just twist the screwdriver a bit and the adjuster should release and pull the shoes inwards - if not twist the adjuster screw with one hand and push the shoes inwards with the other.

When this is done make sure the shoes look like they are central in the backing plate - if they are cocked to one side that can make drum refitting difficult.

Oh this all brings back memories for me - I remember the first time I changed rear brake shoes on my own as a 16 year old. I was on it all day and in the end I lost my rag and put a lamp hammer through the rear light in rage! I don't suggest you follow my example however!

Paul.

Thanks Paul, I'll have to try this next time I gave up today after 5 or so hours - I was very close to smashing something as well!!
I've left the car up on jack stands so I'll give it a bash -literally- when it's not raining and I have some spare time again,

Cheers

[D366Y]

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[D366Y]

This is how I've left them looking, so sort of back to normal, think I need to adjust the passenger side as well...?

Also, on Paul's picture of the 'adjuster arm' there is a part that goes through both shoes, does it matter how tight/loose this part is in terms of making the handbrake tight? The bit with the ridges on in my picture if it makes more sense...

Also I have topped up the brake fluid a bit to see if that stops the brake light coming on, and the connections on the top of the brake fluid reservoir are in good order - thanks Peter and Andrew for the suggestions!

IMAG0190 by Danny Hassall, on Flickr

IMAG0191 by Danny Hassall, on Flickr

[Jasonmarie]

Can i be a party popper , the springs dan I would have got a replaced kit so all good as they do look a little past there sell by date . But saying that this is something I always did as they were cheap .

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 1287782028

With his tight I can’t remember now as I am sure it was just right not tight or lose .

Your doing a grand job

[D366Y]

I did think about changing the springs but to be honest I struggled enough to get those springs back on when I took them off, and I can't imagine anything worse than having to fight for several hours to get new springs on!

[Jasonmarie]

Yes with you on that Dan if something not broken then leave alone , something for nextime , trouble is once they get wet they get a rusty look straight away .

[D366Y]

Yes with you on that Dan if something not broken then leave alone , something for nextime , trouble is once they get wet they get a rusty look straight away .

That's exactly it, I tried it once before and Jesus heck were they stiff!! I gave up and took the car down the road to a garage with only one drum on so they could sort it

I'd love to have a long term project car that I can strip back and build up with new parts and make it look all shiny and do it all properly, but I don't have the space or dosh!

[Jasonmarie]

Dan your doing a grand job mate and she’s used all the time so a real creadit to you ...

[Paul G]

In the pictures Danny I can't see anything wrong and the reason your drum won't go back on is that the adjuster (the bit with the ridges) is set in the fully adjusted position and it is in the gap between this and the little round thing also with ridges underneath that you have to put the small screwdriver and twist to open them apart. The springs should pull the shoes back in but they don't always so you may have to push them inwards whilst holding the adjuster apart.

[D366Y]

In the pictures Danny I can't see anything wrong and the reason your drum won't go back on is that the adjuster (the bit with the ridges) is set in the fully adjusted position and it is in the gap between this and the little round thing also with ridges underneath that you have to put the small screwdriver and twist to open them apart. The springs should pull the shoes back in but they don't always so you may have to push them inwards whilst holding the adjuster apart.

Perfect, thank you Paul, will have a go at sorting it when I'm next out there, might as well check the other side while I'm at it too

[D366Y]

Just to bring this to a conclusion, I managed to get the drum back on and checked the other side - the adjuster arm and pivot were the culprits as they were stuck in place and needed freeing up. After doing this all seems back to normal and the brake engage properly and the handbrake appears to be working again offering resistance when I pull it up which it didn't use to so problem solved! (I think because I can't really take it for a test drive while the engine is in pieces)