Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: tc² on December 12, 2007, 11:13:20 AM

Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 12, 2007, 11:13:20 AM
***Problem Solved (See last few posts)***
Getting a terrible sing noise from the right rear, it sounds like a shoe is loose or even totally severed.  How much would it cost to have a shop replace that?  I think I could do it but I have no desire too...
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: JeremyB on December 12, 2007, 12:28:06 PM
Just replacing one set of shoes would probably run .7 hrs of labor + parts cost ($25-$55).  $75/hr labor would run ~$75-$110.
They might not agree to service only one side, which would add cost. Also if your shoe if FUBAR, you may needed to resurface/replace the drum.
Doing those two things would bring it to ~$155-$225. This is a WAG for a real shop. NTB flier for comparison. [click (http://"http://www.ntb.com/BrakeServices.aspx")]


Now I remember why I do this stuff myself! :)
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: Chuck W on December 12, 2007, 12:31:48 PM
Learn how to work on your car......
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: Red_LX on December 12, 2007, 12:57:18 PM
Geez, shoes aren't that hard to do. Get a drum brake tool and go at it.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 12, 2007, 01:28:00 PM
Quote from: Chuck W;192382
Learn how to work on your car......


I do know how to work on my car, actually I'm pretty proud of it.  I'm 17 and I've swapped an AOD for a T-5, (pedals, clutch cable, clutch, etc.) changed head gaskets multiple times and swapped a number of turbos.  With no help other than to lift heavy parts.  I know I could probably do it but I'd rather just not mess with it, I've never worked with drums before.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: ipsd on December 12, 2007, 02:44:33 PM
Drums are easy not as easy a Disc brakes but still easy. So I'm gonna give you a price if you do it your self. Shoes $15-$20/set, Drum about $50ea or $8 turned if yours can be turned. Then the rest is up to you. If you are gonna do only one side it takes about 30min. both sides about 50min.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 12, 2007, 03:52:17 PM
Thanks for the info!  Is it neccesary to turn mine if there's no damage to the inside of the drum?
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: dw43935 on December 12, 2007, 04:26:34 PM
If you done your tranny swap yourself, I,m sure you can change your brakes. With the money that you are willing to spend at a shop, you could buy new drums, shoes, spring kits, & even new wheel cylinders if you do it yourself. And you will still have gas money leftover. Peace of mind is priceless!
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: *MAYHEM* on December 12, 2007, 05:45:00 PM
Some words of advice:
 
Turn the drums whether they look like they need it or not, the shoes will bed in easier and not wear out as fast.
 
If you do one side, do BOTH. Otherwise you will almost certainly find your car pulling to one side under braking and worse yet, on a slippery road it may lock one wheel try to swap ends on you. When it comes to brakes, suspension or steering, I never do just one side.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 12, 2007, 11:09:12 PM
Thanks for the words of advice everyone.  I talked to someone here who has worked with these particular drums and he seems to think a spring might have popped loose inside the drum and that's what's causing the sing noise while braking.  I'm going to pull the drum sometime this week/weekend, I'll keep you guys posted on what I find out.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: daboss351 on December 12, 2007, 11:41:48 PM
Simple SIMPLE job, hell you can do it without the tool. just make sure you remember how they go in!
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: vinnietbird on December 13, 2007, 01:38:21 PM
If you lift the car,pull both drums off,and use one side as a visual reference while you change the other side.I use a small pair of vice grips and a screwdriver to change mine.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: Red_LX on December 13, 2007, 03:25:05 PM
My tempo was making a clunking/sing noise after it sat all winter, I figured a spring had broken, pulled the drums off and the pad material had completely come off the backing on both sides.

Although, on Tempo shoes, the pad material is apparently just glued to the backing, so no wonder.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: grutinator on December 13, 2007, 03:32:56 PM
always buy riveted. i honestly dont know why they sell glued. its not worth the risk that comes with it.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: Sick88Tbird on December 13, 2007, 10:15:22 PM
Quote from: Red_LX;192602
My tempo was making a clunking/sing noise after it sat all winter, I figured a spring had broken, pulled the drums off and the pad material had completely come off the backing on both sides.

Although, on Tempo shoes, the pad material is apparently just glued to the backing, so no wonder.


It doesn't have anything to do with what model car...it has to do with the brand of shoes installed.  Cheap bonded pads/shoes will do that after sitting for a long period of time.

Quote from: grutinator;192603
always buy riveted. i honestly dont know why they sell glued. its not worth the risk that comes with it.


I will never buy another set of riveted anything...I've too frequently seen the linings crack between the rivet holes and large chunks of material missing...I've seen 10 to 1 more problems with riveted pads/shoes than I have with bonded...just don't buy junk and you'll most likely be good to go either way.  Too many people try to save $5 and they end up buying inferior parts...I would never expect a miracle from a $15 set of pads or shoes.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: grutinator on December 13, 2007, 10:21:57 PM
maybe thats where i got confused. almost every bonded shoes ive seen where cheapos. maybe if good quality ones were more common, i wouldnt as reluctant to recomend them. personally i have seen a higher percent of bondeds fail then riveted. but Sicks right, if you buy a good quality one u should be fine. dont cheap out, brakes are kinda important to have when u need them
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 13, 2007, 11:15:28 PM
That was my other concern -- that the pad had come off the backing.  The noise is so loud though...  I don't know.  I'm driving the truck until I work on the Bird this weekend so I'll let you guys know what it turns out to be.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: atariman on December 13, 2007, 11:28:21 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;192598
If you lift the car,pull both drums off,and use one side as a visual reference while you change the other side.I use a small pair of vice grips and a screwdriver to change mine.


oh my goodness....This is the response I was looking for. The only reason I read this whole thread.   
 Take one side off at a time, refer to the other as your reference. Do it right the first time, that way you don't have to do it again. Bendix is a pretty good brand of brakes. A little pricey but I guess worth it. Old car, old drums.....why not replace them? One less thing you will have to worry about. 

Have fun. Don't fear the springs.;)
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 14, 2007, 08:40:15 AM
Well the thing is, the drums are supposed to be new.  The guy before me put new shocks, struts, springs, tie rod ends, ball joints, drums, and shoes (and pads in the front).  That was 7 years ago but he only put 3,000 miles on the car in that time.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: Sick88Tbird on December 14, 2007, 04:56:49 PM
Put the car on jack-stands and pull both drums as previously stated...take both drums to your local Napa store(or other parts store that cuts drums) and have them cut...it shouldn't cost more than $25....back when "ABC"(a.k.a. American Battery Company) was still around here in NJ, they used to cut rotors or drums for $6/ea...I miss those days...stupid AutoZone taking everything over.
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 14, 2007, 05:07:43 PM
Pulled the drum -- turns out the shoes came off the backing (they are not the riveted style).  Ordered 4 new shoes and a drum to be delivered tomorrow morning.  Thanks everyone!
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: tc² on December 19, 2007, 12:02:19 AM
Got the car on the road today (finally).  It's my first oppurtunity since we got a little weather this weekend... Anyway, everything checks out.  I put on 4 new riveted shoes and RR drum and she stops like a charm.  Thanks for everyones help!
Title: Rear Drum Issue (Problem Solved)
Post by: softtouch on December 20, 2007, 12:57:28 AM
I never heard of bonded brake shoes coming apart before.

Bonded shoes were a big improvement over riveted about 40 years ago. I have seen riveted linings come loose but never completely off.

When I had a 61 Anglia I had to buy just the linings and rivet them on myself. English cars were about 10 years behind American cars, technology wise.

I am surprised you can still get riveted shoes.