Rear drum brakes not holding enough when pulling hand brake

[hippysteven]

I'm onto one of my last jobs now on my (wide 5) bay before MOT day,

The problem I have is the rear brakes are naff. I've replaced the cylinders, shoes and all the other gubins.

I removed a lip around the inside of the drum using a flap disc which come about because the previous shoes had partly worn the drum away as they do. The lip was ruffly 1mm.

I've slightly angled the edge of the new shoes as advised by the MOT guy last year to help them bed in

I've replaced both hand brake cables with gsf cables. I've adjusted and adjusted and with the handbrake firmly on, I can still turn the wheel by hand with abit of effort.

As you probs know csp drums are nearly £400 just for the rear end, so I'm not sure where to go next that's guna improve my brakes, I did consider that the cables could be stretching as I pull hand brake but they're new.

Anyone else had trouble setting up there rear drums?

Any help appreciated because it's the only thing letting my bus down.

Thanks

 

[Moseley]

Sounds like something is bottoming out before the shoes are fully clamped. Have you checked the lever in the drum isn't hitting the inner bearing carrier? Or the handbrake handle is coming out to the limit of it's travel?

 

[hippysteven]

Moseley,

I have the handbrake set up to come out about 5 clicks but I havnt considered checking the lever. I'll check it tomorrow for sure, Ill take the drum off and get the mrs to pull the handbrake slightly to see if it hits .

Let's hope it does so atleast I'll know what it is

 

[StuF]

Took me ages to adjust mine correctly to pass the mot last year.

I slackened off the handbrake cables first,
The pulled it on by only 3 clicks,
Went to the rear hub and using the star adjuster brought the brake shoes into contact with the drum so I couldnt turn it at all.
Then backed the star adjuster off three clicks so they were just binding slightly
Did this for both sides (took ages)
Then back into the bus, tightened up the now firmer handbrake cables at the bottom of lever after releasing the handbrake.

With the bus still on axle stands I applied the handbrake firmly 4/5 clicks and it held the bus firm.

Passed the mot no issues the next day!
Was very much a learning experience for me!

 

[hippysteven]

I'll give it a blast using your method if the lever seems to be ok.

Thanks for the pointers!