clubstylus

My 9 inch drum brakes haven't been replaced since building the car in 1997/9 , so thought while I was putting new 13 inch wheels on the car , I better have a clean up again , paint the drums etc. Having got them off the driver's side was dry and dusty but little wear , still have 4mm's of lining . The passenger side was similar wear wise but slightly sticky , obviously a drip or two of oil's been getting past the bearing. It looks oil free around the four bolt plate holding the half shaft in place so possibly oil on the lining before the last half shaft change in 2005/6 . I must have cleaned it at the time but if the lining had oil within it , even after wiping off with spirit , I suppose it'd get squeezed out with pressure/heat .
Anyway , I've ordered new shoes and cleaned everything off the back plates , drums and self adjusters/springs etc ---- re-painted the drums after an emery rub down of the inside braking surfaces , so just waiting for delivery of the shoes now .
It just shows how little the rear brakes do as a percentage of the total braking ---- I'll perhaps turn the bias bar a touch more to the rear this time. It's assumed the ratio is 60/40 front to rear braking but I suspect it's closer to 80% front looking at the shoe wear

I have to agree - I know discs are actually supposed to be a backward step in terms of weight etc - but when braking, I do feel that the front is overloaded and the back end is just along for the ride - doesn't put much effort in!
I don't have a bias valve so can't really see how to increase rear effort without restricting front brake fluid lfow???

might be worth putting some numbers on the components and seeing what you get
this appears useful.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Brakes/

The rear drums - I'm assuming they're likely to be Mk2 Escort? Got a small dribble from the backing plate so I guess a cylinder is past its best. Just wanted to check before I order some bits...