Brakes Are Hard After Replacing Shoes

Apr 24, 2025 by ADMIN 38 views

Brakes are Hard After Replacing Shoes: A Dodge Pickup Owner's Dilemma

As a Dodge pickup owner, you expect your vehicle to perform well, especially when it comes to braking. However, when you experience hard brakes after replacing shoes, it can be frustrating and worrisome. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes of hard brakes in a 1971 Dodge pickup with drum brakes, which has been rebuilt three years ago and has been driven from Northern California to Columbus, Georgia.

The owner of the 1971 Dodge pickup has been experiencing squealing from the left front and back brake while driving for the past two years. The brakes are hard to press, and tapping them stops the vehicle. This issue has been persistent, and the owner is concerned about the safety and reliability of their vehicle.

There are several possible causes of hard brakes after replacing shoes in a drum brake system. Some of the most common causes include:

Incorrect brake shoe adjustment: If the brake shoes are not adjusted correctly, it can cause the brakes to be hard to press and may lead to premature wear on the brake components.
Worn or damaged brake drums: If the brake drums are worn or damaged, it can cause the brakes to be hard to press and may lead to uneven braking.
Warped or damaged brake rotors: If the brake rotors are warped or damaged, it can cause the brakes to be hard to press and may lead to uneven braking.
Low brake fluid level: If the brake fluid level is low, it can cause the brakes to be hard to press and may lead to premature wear on the brake components.
Air in the brake system: If there is air in the brake system, it can cause the brakes to be hard to press and may lead to premature wear on the brake components.

To diagnose and repair the hard brakes issue in the 1971 Dodge pickup, the owner should follow these steps:

Check the brake fluid level: The owner should check the brake fluid level to ensure it is at the recommended level.
Inspect the brake shoes: The owner should inspect the brake shoes to ensure they are properly adjusted and not worn or damaged.
Inspect the brake drums: The owner should inspect the brake drums to ensure they are not worn or damaged.
Inspect the brake rotors: The owner should inspect the brake rotors to ensure they are not warped or damaged.
Bleed the brake system: The owner should bleed the brake system to remove any air that may be present.
Replace the brake shoes: If the brake shoes are worn or damaged, the owner should replace them with new ones.
Replace the brake drums: If the brake drums are worn or damaged, the owner should replace them with new ones.
Replace the brake rotors: If the brake rotors are warped or damaged, the owner should replace them with new ones.

To prevent hard brakes after replacing shoes in a drum brake system, the owner should follow these tips:

Regularly check the brake fluid level: The owner should regularly check the brake fluid level to ensure it is at the recommended level.
Regularly inspect the brake shoes: The owner should regularly inspect the brake shoes to ensure they are properly adjusted and not worn or damaged.
Regularly inspect the brake drums: The owner should regularly inspect the brake drums to ensure they are not worn or damaged.
Regularly inspect the brake rotors: The owner should regularly inspect the brake rotors to ensure they are not warped or damaged.
Regularly bleed the brake system: The owner should regularly bleed the brake system to remove any air that may be present.

Hard brakes after replacing shoes in a drum brake system can be a frustrating and worrisome issue. However, by following the possible causes, diagnosis and repair steps, and prevention and maintenance tips outlined in this article, the owner of the 1971 Dodge pickup can resolve the issue and ensure their vehicle is safe and reliable to drive.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hard Brakes After Replacing Shoes in a Drum Brake System

A: The common causes of hard brakes after replacing shoes in a drum brake system include incorrect brake shoe adjustment, worn or damaged brake drums, warped or damaged brake rotors, low brake fluid level, and air in the brake system.

A: To check the brake fluid level in your drum brake system, you will need to locate the brake fluid reservoir, which is usually located under the hood of your vehicle. You will need to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions on how to check the brake fluid level. Typically, you will need to remove the cap on the reservoir and check the level against the minimum and maximum marks on the side of the reservoir.

A: To inspect the brake shoes in your drum brake system, you will need to locate the brake shoes, which are usually located on the back of the brake drum. You will need to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions on how to inspect the brake shoes. Typically, you will need to remove the wheel and drum to access the brake shoes. You will need to check the brake shoes for wear, damage, or improper adjustment.

A: To inspect the brake drums in your drum brake system, you will need to locate the brake drums, which are usually located on the back of the wheel. You will need to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions on how to inspect the brake drums. Typically, you will need to remove the wheel and drum to access the brake drums. You will need to check the brake drums for wear, damage, or scoring.

A: To inspect the brake rotors in your drum brake system, you will need to locate the brake rotors, which are usually located on the back of the wheel. You will need to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions on how to inspect the brake rotors. Typically, you will need to remove the wheel and drum to access the brake rotors. You will need to check the brake rotors for warping, scoring, or excessive wear.

A: To bleed the brake system in your drum brake system, you will need to locate the brake master cylinder, which is usually located under the hood of your vehicle. You will need to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions on how to bleed the brake system. Typically, you will need to attach a brake bleeding kit to the brake master cylinder and pump the brake pedal to remove any air from the system.

A: You should check the brake fluid level in your drum brake system every 1,000 to 5,000 miles, or as recommended by your's manual.

A: You should inspect the brake shoes in your drum brake system every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, or as recommended by your owner's manual.

A: You should inspect the brake drums in your drum brake system every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, or as recommended by your owner's manual.

A: You should inspect the brake rotors in your drum brake system every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, or as recommended by your owner's manual.

A: The symptoms of a faulty brake system in a drum brake system include hard brakes, spongy brake pedal, brake noise, and brake vibration.

A: If you experience hard brakes in your drum brake system, you should pull over to a safe location and engage the parking brake. You should then check the brake fluid level and inspect the brake shoes, brake drums, and brake rotors for wear, damage, or improper adjustment. If you are unsure of how to diagnose or repair the issue, you should consult a professional mechanic.