Self-adjuster repair kit question (where does this go?)

[PumiceMan]

Hello all,

Rebuilding my 69 Sierra rear drums, with new wheel cylinders, hardware, and new self-adjusters. There's a small stamped steel piece that came with the self-adjuster repair kit, looks like maybe an anti-rattle clip or some such, but I have no idea where it's supposed to go. The old parts that I removed didn't have this clip anywhere. This is also my first drum rebuild, so I'm a little lacking in the experience department.

It's circled in red in the picture (assuming I posted it correctly). Any thoughts?

Thanks for your time!

[chewychevy67]

I believe that is the new version of the rubber plug used in either the drum or backing plate where you access the gear to adjust the shoes

[Richard2112]

Yes, that's the replacement for the plug in the backing plate.

[PumiceMan]

Ah, so it is! I'd never even considered that, since I already had new rubber plugs that came with the other hardware kit.

Thanks very much for your help, gentlemen!

[PepperTreeGarage]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Yes, that's the replacement for the plug in the backing plate.

Nice job you did there. I like the way drum brakes look when they're new and clean. This is the brakes on our '72 DANA 60.

[Richard2112]

Originally Posted by PepperTreeGarage

Nice job you did there. I like the way drum brakes look when they're new and clean. This is the brakes on our '72 DANA 60.

Thank you. And I would return the complement. Thats a nice looking brake job you did also. I too like the way the brakes look when the parts are distinct. When I first pulled them aprt, the cylinders had leaked and everything was caked in muddy brake dust. It's a pleasure to do brake work and not walk away covered in black, oily residue. Nice job.

[PepperTreeGarage]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Thank you. And I would return the complement. Thats a nice looking brake job you did also. I too like the way the brakes look when the parts are distinct. When I first pulled them aprt, the cylinders had leaked and everything was caked in muddy brake dust. It's a pleasure to do brake work and not walk away covered in black, oily residue. Nice job.

Thanks, I think all the Drum Brakes on these trucks look this way over the years. Ours had a hub seal that was leaking a bit, adding to the mess.

[BigBird05]

Did you lightly grease the razed tabs on the backing plate so the brake shoes will slide smoothly?

[PepperTreeGarage]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

Did you lightly grease the razed tabs on the backing plate so the brake shoes will slide smoothly?

I did not. I was going to, but as I talked to others the consensus was not to. The thinking being that the "Light Grease" would attract the brake dust and become just as abrasive, if not more so than not having any grease at all. So there's my reason. I guess I'll find out eventually.

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by PepperTreeGarage

I did not. I was going to, but as I talked to others the consensus was not to. The thinking being that the "Light Grease" would attract the brake dust and become just as abrasive, if not more so than not having any grease at all. So there's my reason. I guess I'll find out eventually.

Probably correct. I have done them raised cross hatches with copper anti seize in the past and there was some build up there that helped wear out the cross hatches.

Not needed or wanted as I remember.

[Richard2112]

This was my wheel cylinder as I just bought the truck. The rest of the brakes didn't look much different.

[neirfin]

I just wrapped up all 4 drums on my 69 C20, the rust inside the cylinders was insane! I only had one working brake up front, and only by virtue of the fact that the shoes were pushed so far out they were basically acting as a constant emergency brake. Not sure how I survived driving this home on the highway...

SO... I had the same question as the little black clip... but the parts kit I got came with only one of those little black clips and two rubber plugs for the backing plate... So I am not sure if this is actually this little clip's purpose. Maybe it is and they only include one to make you scratch your head? Still not sure, but since it was not in the original parts, it was not used.

[sick472]

I just cleaned up and painted the drums on my 72 and the drums themselves had the openings just like the backing plate. There are two areas on each drum opposing each other, but only one is "knocked out". Can't say I've seen that before. Nor do I think I should plug it up either...IDK.

[maverickmk]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

This was my wheel cylinder as I just bought the truck. The rest of the brakes didn't look much different.

Eww, and I thought my brakes were really bad.

[Richard2112]

Originally Posted by maverickmk

Eww, and I thought my brakes were really bad.

No man, you got another 50k mile on those..