I hate....

[1974dodgecharger]

Replacing everything on drum brakes and especially getting the springs back on damn it what a sob.

[cdr]

i hate to tell you but the shorter shoe goes on the front.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

If you have the right tools, it's child's play.

[BB1]

Easiest thing to do bud. 

Now go swap those shoes around.

[JB400]

It's not that bad if you know how to cheat

[Cooter]

Yep, shoes backwards. Any auto parts store sells the tool to ease spring install.
lemme know when you tune up a Windstar van, or do an A/C evaporator in a late 90's, early 2000's Dodge truck and im right there with you...


PS don't forget to squeeze that clip holding the E brake lever in the shoe. You are also missing the self adjuster cable and hardware.

[70 sublime]

.

[Mike DC]

It's worth the price of a disc brake conversion just to not have to service the drums anymore IMO. 

[Mopar Nut]

It's worth the price of a disc brake conversion just to not have to service the drums anymore IMO. 

[A383Wing]

where's the spring to hold the bottom of the shoes against the star adjuster thingy?

And yea, shoes are on wrong, brake spring install & removal tool is all of $5 at most stores, self adjusting cable, lever, & spring are missing if you have 10" drums....

start over, get a manual, and do it right...follow pics in manual, and the springs & hardware go on in a certain order as well

[68RT440]

Looks like you need to pinch the horse shoe retainer clip that holds the e brake arm onto the shoe....once you get the shoes switched around...

[chargerboy69]

It's worth the price of a disc brake conversion just to not have to service the drums anymore IMO. 

A very wise man right here.

[bull]

Are you doing it with a screwdriver? Like they said, go down and spend $12 or whatever on a set of brake tools. Life will be much easier.

[1974dodgecharger]

My setup is original I took picks and the spring was the same both tops which is odd I thought.  Spring is ar the bottom, in back its how it all fit in.   Fckin shoes....and yeah disc conversion are worth it but didnt have money for them if I plan the trip to vegas.

[BROCK]

With the right tools a drum brake job really is easy
& rewarding.  Matco, Mac etc offer general drum brake
service tool kits that make it a snap. 

I'm all for Disk brakes & safety.  But there are 2 truths
in play here: 
a) Rare cars will tend to keep their originality - including
drums.
b) Simply putting discs on 2 or 4 corners with the rest of
the system remaining stock is truly a step backwards in
terms of safety & stopping distance.  Without the proper
master cylinder & booster - disks are just eye candy

[1974dodgecharger]

where's the spring to hold the bottom of the shoes against the star adjuster thingy?

And yea, shoes are on wrong, brake spring install & removal tool is all of $5 at most stores, self adjusting cable, lever, & spring are missing if you have 10" drums....

start over, get a manual, and do it right...follow pics in manual, and the springs & hardware go on in a certain order as well

Its a 11incher....

[ChargerST]

I put on self adjusters on my 11" rear brakes..rockauto has the hardware.

[myk]

It's worth the price of a disc brake conversion just to not have to service the drums anymore IMO. 

Another vote for discs; I can't wait for rear discs so I'll never have to look at another drum brake again...

[1974dodgecharger]

I put on self adjusters on my 11" rear brakes..rockauto has the hardware.

I was impatient for them, when the weekend comrs for me its charger time.  I was able to now test my e brake and now works so no more using tranny to parker her.

[John_Kunkel]

An old-timer showed me a trick to make drum brake jobs less messy, place a tub under the brake and douche the whole works with a garden hose...washes away all that brake dust. Then blow dry.

[Ghoste]

Would have been a lot safer than breathing in all that asbestos too.  Ironically the old timer was likely just trying to stay a bit cleaner and never knew about the health benefit.

[1974dodgecharger]

Well they work like a champ took her out for a 50 mile cruise, braking is way different now that tue rearz engage at its max vs before she engaged barely and then I pinched the line  and well I had only front brakes for 2 weeks.  I can engage my parking brake now also vs bef9re I used the tranny to do it.

[fy469rtse]

  good job , looks great, even better feeling when everything works

[A383Wing]

you did swap the rear shoes, right?

[ACUDANUT]

Also isn't the brake adjuster backwards ? I can't remember.

[ACUDANUT]

 Is it me or does the bottom spring always seem to rub on the adjuster.

[A383Wing]

Also isn't the brake adjuster backwards ? I can't remember.

doesn't make any difference....he has 11" brakes without self adjusters

Is it me or does the bottom spring always seem to rub on the adjuster.

It's supposed to to keep it from moving on it's own....that's why you get the "click click" when you are in there adjusting it

[ACUDANUT]

Hmmm, I guess I have only had self adjusters. 

[1974dodgecharger]

U guys and your luxury chargers here iam with no self adjusters. Manual brakes and steering no air no heat just a plain charger while u guys sit in the lap of luxury must feel good....

[A383Wing]

Ha..when you get as old as us, you will appreciate the "luxuries" also

I will admit, none of my Chargers have power brakes or AC....power steering yes, and self adjusting brakes....

you can add self adjusters to yours unless you really like crawling under the car all the time to adjust them

[1974dodgecharger]

Ha..when you get as old as us, you will appreciate the "luxuries" also

I will admit, none of my Chargers have power brakes or AC....power steering yes, and self adjusting brakes....

you can add self adjusters to yours unless you really like crawling under the car all the time to adjust them

Oh, hmm maybe next time yeah its annoying adjusting them lol...

[ACUDANUT]

It's not hard to add adjusters. Do it.