64 SPL310 1500 Brakes - Hard pull to the right

[mraitch]

I believe that brake shoes also have a leading/trailing edge. Worth checking out.

[datsun65]

Okay, found part of the issue, but not sure about the fix.

Found that when I adjusted the top shoe (Via the brake adjuster) to its loosest position, the shoe is not retracting to touch the brake adjuster (Circled in Yellow). It appears that the wheel cylinder (Circled in Red) may be limiting the retraction of the shoe. Do I need to replace the wheel cylinder, or is something else that needs to be adjusted?

Thanks.

[datsun1500]

From the photo it looks like that's as far as the cylinder goes in. If you loosen the top of another wheel, does it hit the adjuster?

[datsun1500]

If you put the RF drum on the LF, does it grab?

[keith0alan]

Check the pad on the backing plate that the shoe rides on. If a ridge has worn into it the shoe will hang and not retract. The shoe should rest on the adjuster.

[dbrick]

It is possible that one or more of the shoes are not the correct radius. If you remove the shoes and stand them with the curved side up, they should all measure the same from the highest point to the table and from the point the adjuster contacts the shoe to the table.

[waky racer]

MGBs are notorious for difficulty with brake bleeding. One trick they (MGB owners) use is to get a 60cc syringe from a farm supply store. Then, suck fluid from the master reservoir and, using a silicone hose, inject it into the brake slave cylinder bleed screw. Be careful to not overflow the master cylinder reservoir. Hope this helps.

[datsun65]

If you put the RF drum on the LF, does it grab

Yes, the LF still hangs when the drums are swapped.

Check the pad on the backing plate that the shoe rides on

Yep, this is this weekend's project. Need to check if there is some weird wear on the backing plate which is causing the shoe to hang up. It may be as simple as maybe cleaning the backing plate and adding some anti-seize. Not sure yet. I haven't taken apart the front brakes of an SPL310, but my assumption is that you remove the red brakes springs (which hold the tension), then remove the brass spring clamps which hold the shoes in place.

It is possible that one or more of the shoes are not the correct radius.

This is one of the checks that I will make when I disassemble this weekend. Great point.

MGBs are notorious for difficulty with brake bleeding.

Interesting approach. Once I figure out why the LF shoe is binding, next step will be onto bleeding out the system. This approach may be helpful!

Again...thanks for all the really great feedback and suggestions.

[datsun65]

Ok...shoes removed and cleaned the backing plate and added a bit of anti seize. But nothing is looking problematic.

But I can't figure out how to put the bottom shoe back into place. There is the red spring. On one side it attaches to the the backing plate, the other side to the shoe. Is there a trick to stretching the spring (super stiff) to reconnect to the shoe? Any recommendation how to get the shoe back on?

Thanks!

[Nissanman]

From memory, I attach the springs to the shoes first, then position one shoe into the cylinder grooves, then stretch the remaining shoe into position on the other side of the cylinder grooves.
Use a temporary clamp over the first shoe fitted to make sure it doesn't fly loose when you stretch the second shoe into position.
A long flat bladed screwdriver comes in handy when levering the shoes into position

[dbrick]

From memory, I attach the springs to the shoes first, then position one shoe into the cylinder grooves, then stretch the remaining shoe into position on the other side of the cylinder grooves.
Use a temporary clamp over the first shoe fitted to make sure it doesn't fly loose when you stretch the second shoe into position.
A long flat bladed screwdriver comes in handy when levering the shoes into position

I do it the same way on later cars, should work on the 64
BTW, if needed, I have both left and right complete front brake and spindle assemblies off my 64, I changed it to disc. Keep meaning to post for sale, but didn't

[datsun65]

From memory, I attach the springs to the shoes first, then position one shoe into the cylinder grooves, then stretch the remaining shoe into position on the other side of the cylinder grooves. Use a temporary clamp over the first shoe fitted to make sure it doesn't fly loose when you stretch the second shoe into position.
A long flat bladed screwdriver comes in handy when levering the shoes into position

Thanks. That's my current plan of attack. Was hoping there was some magic approach that I'm just not figuring..

[keith0alan]

Brake spring pliers. One of those special tools that is quite handy for this and worthless for anything else.

[jamesw]

Buy those brakes from Brisco Dan - if you don't need them, I will.

Cheers
James

[datsun65]

Buy those brakes from Brisco

Shall do!

Brake spring pliers.

I haven't found any brake pliers that would assist. If the lower shoe is in place, I can't figure out how to stretch and set the spring into place. Any recommendation on which model?