Rear brakes lock before front...

[rudypoochris]

Ever since I switched out the rear shoes to Napa brand, I have noticed that the rears lock before the fronts in a panic stop. When I installed the new rear shoes I did not have the drums resurfaced. Could this be why? Is the Napa compound just more aggressive than the dealer standard fronts? Thanks guys!

 

[Masterd]

What year is your truck.

It should have at least front wheel ABS....its its a 93 or later it should have 4 wheel abs.

 

[Willard]

Actually they had rear wheel ABS first, then the '93 on trucks had four wheel ABS.

Are they locking all the time on a panic stop, or is it more noticeable when they are cold? I ask because there is a TSB on this, something about when the truck sits overnight when it's wet outside, it can cause the drums to stick on the first couple stops. I know mine does it periodically.

 

[rudypoochris]

It is all the time on panic stops. It has single channel rear wheel ABS (1992) and it sort of works, but it is like most other computer related things were in 1992 - ****ty. I don't know if the ABS comes on or not, in any case, they lock so I am assuming not.

I have a feeling its just that the Napa replacement pads are too sticky, but someone else mentioned it may be since I have not had the drums machined before putting the new shoes in.

 

[wood1]

Actually they had rear wheel ABS first, then the '93 on trucks had four wheel ABS.

Are they locking all the time on a panic stop, or is it more noticeable when they are cold? I ask because there is a TSB on this, something about when the truck sits overnight when it's wet outside, it can cause the drums to stick on the first couple stops. I know mine does it periodically.

Mine does it almost every... freaking...day...

I've cleaned the shoes and drums, wheel cylinders and axle seals are not leaking.

Sigh...

 

[rudypoochris]

Mine does it almost every... freaking...day...

I've cleaned the shoes and drums, wheel cylinders and axle seals are not leaking.

Sigh...

I might just install a proportioning valve in the hard line if it persists. I didn't have issue with the balance using OE pads front and rear. What pads are you using? I think I will hit the drums with a bit of 100-200 grit sand paper - the guy at the auto parts store advised me that maybe there is some sticky glaze or something there from the old pads. Hmmm..

 

[wood1]

Hmmm, I got the pads at NAPA, not the cheap ones, the shoes are from before I bought the X. I find once I stop the first time the rear brakes work fine. I wonder if the ABS self test happens at the end of my driveway? You'd think that it would kick in and prevent my rear tires from dragging at all.

 

[Willard]

Hmmm, I got the pads at NAPA, not the cheap ones, the shoes are from before I bought the X. I find once I stop the first time the rear brakes work fine. I wonder if the ABS self test happens at the end of my driveway? You'd think that it would kick in and prevent my rear tires from dragging at all.

That is exactly like the TSB I mentioned. I'll go find that one.

Edit: Nevermind on that, the fix is to replace the brake shoes It says something about the pad linings being sensitive to humidity, but they just say to replace the shoes. Theoretically, then, it shouldn't happen on brake shoes that aren't stock :scratch:

 

[wood1]

I had that intention but when I pulled the drums to have a look there was still lots of life left. Replace the shoes, or wait and put up with it until I find a 2nd gen rear with disks...

 

[wood1]

Ever since I switched out the rear shoes to Napa brand, I have noticed that the rears lock before the fronts in a panic stop. When I installed the new rear shoes I did not have the drums resurfaced. Could this be why? Is the Napa compound just more aggressive than the dealer standard fronts? Thanks guys!

Sorry rudy, bit of a highjack there...

I would check the front brakes to make sure they are up to snuff. You shouldn't have to re-engineer the factory brakes just because you change the rear shoes...

 

[rudypoochris]

I agree. I think it is the Napa pads in all honesty. I suspect they are gripping too hard.

 

[pugsy]

I just redid my rear drums in the fall. Everything is new (except backing plates). And now mine grab and lock on hard stops too! Part of it I believe is from the cheapy drums and shoes and they slightly warp causing a lock up, but my other theroy is as mentioned above that now that the back brakes are all new, the fronts just don't keep up anymore. The fronts have the original calipers and slide pins, which I need to replace once I get around to it.

 

[rudypoochris]

What pads are you running? I'm going to figure this one out. I think its a combo of grippier Napa pads and the fact that I didn't get the drums turned.

 

[wood1]

Cheap rotors and drums are usually garbage. It's not uncommon to throw them on a brake lathe and find they are not true.

 

[rudypoochris]

Cheap rotors and drums are usually garbage. It's not uncommon to throw them on a brake lathe and find they are not true.

I am running OE drums and rotors...

EDIT: I see you were talking to the other guy.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Mine used to do that too....drove me nuts...but I finally fixed it.

I put disc's from the 95+ X....problem went away.

Then I put 13" Cobra rotors up front. I can stop better than most anything...

Do the swap to rear discs, and NEVER worry about it again.

Ryan

 

[MrShorty]

When you replaced the shoes, did you retract the adjusting bolt all the way in and let the adjusters adjust themselves out, or how did you adjust them? The first thing I would check would be that the shoes are adjusted correctly. Everytime I've done my shoes, I just let the adjuster find their place on their own.

Also check the parking brake cables that they are fully releasing.

 

[pugsy]

My thinking as well is that now that the backs are new and lubed, new wheel cylinders, etc. and the fronts are old still, the path of least resistance will get the most braking power ie. the back. With the front calipers old and almost ceased and crappy dried slide pins, i'm sure it's difficult to move them, so the power goes to the rear. Just a hunch...not really sure on how the front/back power split works.

 

[rudypoochris]

Could be. The front isn't that old though. I should check.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

As was stated before on this subject. If the Drums were'nt turned, then that would be the first place I would look. For the majoritity Brake pads are Brake pads. If your Drums or Rotors are out of round, then your going to expierence problems. JM.02 Bailey.