Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

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6wt
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Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by 6wt »

Last year when i removed the wheel cylinder and corresponding shims i remember thinking: a)wow, what a neat arrangement of how these little shims fit together to hold the rear wheel brake cylinder on the backing plate and b) man, those little shims are in there really tight!

Now fast forward one year... my memory is not what it used to be

I humbly ask what is the correct shim order and shim alignment to install my new rear wheel brake cylinder - SRL311/2000?

I have read and re-read my two manuals, the PMWIKI, and looked/tried the parts numerous ways. I think the correct order is as follows: (starting from the backing plate towards the wheel cylinder retaining edge)
#1 - forked shim with turned up end prongs / installed left to right

#2 - shim with two notches on the center section / installed right to left.
Thereby, when the shim is inserted fully the center section notches engage the #1 shim.

#3 - shim with the 90degree bend in the center section / installed right to left. Thereby, when the shim is inserted fully the 90degree bend acts as a stop on the wheel cylinder housing.

And one last question - i can get shim #1 and shim #2 on but shim #3 does not seem to have enough room to get started...

Clear as mud, huh? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
Craig
69 2000 running
69 2000 in rebuild
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 20

Post by jamesw »

I don't have it in front of me but the photo in the Parts Manual (check the wiki) shows the orientation and order for installing the shims.

Cheers
James
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 20

Post by notoptoy »

I had the same fears so took lots of pictures, here are some pictures from my resto, I have a bunch more if needed? Also the parts page has a good image/cad drawing. http://www.carpartsmanual.com/Datsun311 ... fault.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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6wt
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 20

Post by 6wt »

Thank you so much for the pictures! It is exactly what i was looking for.

Craig
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by svwilbur »

Craig and notoptoy,

Is there a description that goes along with the pictures?
Is Craigs description above correct? I think not or else it would have worked for him without the pictures.
I think there is suppose to be 4 shims but the pictures only seem to show 3 and Craigs description only talks about 3.

So how are these really suppose to go into place?

And when you are done should the wheel cylinder be able to move at all or is it fixed in place?
Mine seems to move some and then the brakes lock up on me and stay locked.
Stacey Wilbur
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by notoptoy »

I'm going to add to this thread so hopefully it will serve as amore comprehensive guide.
Pictures below
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by Linda »

Should the 3 upper shims face the big arm for the rear cylinder, and the bottom shim face the other direction, and be on the bottom or top of the stack? Also it looks like grease on the plate?
Thx
Linda
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by notoptoy »

Yes, lithium brake grease on the backing plate. And yes on the direction of the shims.
Obviously I used the grease sparingly. You don't want it transferring to the shoes or Brake drum.
This drawing is golden: http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun/sp ... rear-brake
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by ncpi »

Stacey asked this earlier and I have the same question. Does the wheel cylinder move in the opposite direction from the piston to move the bottom shoe? Looking at it I think thats how the bottom shoe moves to engage the drum as the cylinder has only 1 piston. I wonder because if thats the case we need to make sure the wheel cylinder itself can move freely.

...Bill
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by notoptoy »

The wheel cylinder does need to slide side to side freely.
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by ncpi »

Thanks for confirming!
...Bill
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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by notoptoy »

This is why I lubricate the backing plate lightly.
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

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Re: Rear brake cylinder shim order & alignment - SRL311 / 2000

Post by ncpi »

Thanks, I am resurrecting (and then plan a restoration) of my roadster after sitting for 2-3 years as I was moving around. While it was driving when I stored it, now both the brake and clutch go to the floor. Clutch slave is leaking (master is fairly new) and I am working around the wheels to find the leaking hose or wheel cylinder (master which is fairly new doesn't appear to be leaking). Started with the left rear because the drum was frozen nearly solid. Got if off amazingly easily considering. Wheel cylinder seems fine but was going to try to lube it up as I figured it needed to slide. Checked out the tech forum to see how it was supposed to work. Pretty similar to my MG TD which has 4 drums.
1968 Datsun 2000 Roadster
1953 MG TD
1990 Miata
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