jon@dakota-truck.net wrote:
> I'm having a bit of trouble changing brake shoes on the rear
> of my '92 Ram 4x4. This is the first time I've done the brakes
> on this vehicle, so I'm not exactly sure what all the parts
> are supposed to look like, etc. :-) Anyway, the problem I
> am having is that I can't get the cable guide to stay in
> place on the secondary brake shoe. (There is a cable that
> runs from the anchor pin at the top, around the cable guide
> in the secondary shoe, then it attaches via a spring to
> the adjuster lever at the bottom.)
>
> Either my cable guide is broken (doesn't look like it) or
> this is one of the most brain-dead engineering decisions I've
> come across in a while (more likely). ;-) Basically the
> problem is that the cable guide is a stamped sheet metal piece
> which has a tiny, tiny extrusion at the back which is supposed
> to go into a hole on the brake shoe, and it would appear that
> the tension on the cable is actually what holds it in place.
> Unfortunately, in my case, any tension on the cable at all and
> it just slips right out of there. Sorry for the text-only
> description, I was going to take some pics but I can't seem
> to locate my digital camera at the moment. ;-) Plus I figure
> anyone with enough brake experience to be able to answer the
> question in the first place will probably know what I am talking
> about anyway. :-)
>
> I notice Autozone has an "all in one brake drum kit" for
> this application, so I will probably go and see what that is
> all about. I am guessing it has new retaining pins and springs
> (I probably should replace those anyway), maybe it has new
> (better) cable guides also? I notice a cable guide is listed
> on autozone.com, but it is also listed as not available either
> in stores or via the web.
>
> If I can't find a less brain-dead cable guide, I think
> what I will do is to just use a bolt and a lock nut to hold
> the cable guide in place. (I thought of welding it on there,
> but if I use a bolt the guide is re-useable after these pads
> wear out.) I think there is enough clearance for a bolt.
>
> Anyway, if anyone has any experience with this sort of thing
> and has any tips or info that might be useful, they would be
> greatly appreciated. :-) Thanks!
Hi Jon! - I looked in my Haynes manual for my Ram, but it only goes back
to 1994 - so I can't see a diagram of your specific drum set up - I
think they changed it between generations. If what you are talking
about is what I think it is - does it look anything like a half circle
shaped guide - with a groove in the curved end? If I am thinking of the
same cable - this is the self adjuster level spring and cable. An
eyelet up top that secures the top end?
I had the same problem doing the shoes on Christine. What can happen is
that cable can stretch and the spring can get weak over time and it
doesn't want to stay in place with that guide. It should be tight. If
it is the self adjuster cable - that is not included with AutoZone's all
in one drum kit (eyeroll) You will have to get the self adjuster kit -
which has the adjuster screw, spring and cable. (individually sold per
side)
I don't quite remember how I got the thing back together finally. But I
had the problem where every time I went to install the adjuster cable -
that guide would fall off.
I would run out and take a pic of it for you right now - but I jsut
remembered the rear axle is no longer off the ground. I had to steal
the rear jack stands when I did front pads and rotors. What I did was
snap a pic of the FSM page for the 1989 Dak. Should be similar to yours.
http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/stuff/drums/
Hope this has helped some!
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Attention Infidels: I am your official DBDoMPfIWUMOT! Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/
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