1970 B body drum brakes

[FranksCoronet]

so hey guys,
I've been having some weird brake issues and I pulled the rear drums off and they're worn so it's Time to get new pads on! Problem is, I don't exactly know what pads to get. Is there a way to figure it out? I have the stock 14" wheels it came with. I also can't get the front brakes off so that's gonna be fun (any suggestions would be nice). My brakes have been making this weird pulsing squeak sound, is that anything besides worn down pads? Also the other day my brake pedal went to the floor and the brake light turned on like they weren't working and then once I started driving they started working. In short, I'm having lots of weird brake issues on the 1970 Coronet Sedan and any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[1967coronet440]

Do you have the drums off?

 

[FranksCoronet]

Do you have the drums off?

I managed to remove the rear drums rather easy but I've been using WD40 and hammering away at the front drums and they won't even budge

 

[Billccm]

so hey guys,
I've been having some weird brake issues and I pulled the rear drums off and they're worn so it's Time to get new pads on! Problem is, I don't exactly know what pads to get. Is there a way to figure it out? I have the stock 14" wheels it came with. I also can't get the front brakes off so that's gonna be fun (any suggestions would be nice). My brakes have been making this weird pulsing squeak sound, is that anything besides worn down pads? Also the other day my brake pedal went to the floor and the brake light turned on like they weren't working and then once I started driving they started working. In short, I'm having lots of weird brake issues on the 1970 Coronet Sedan and any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

View attachment 522216

Are you losing brake fluid? Master cylinder is suspect, but you need to pull all four drums as soon as possible.
Musclecarbrakes.com is your best bet for new shoes.

 

[1967coronet440]

I follow you on Instagram

Like bill said, All 4 drums need to be pulled

 

[cudajunction]

Front drums are press fit over the studs on the front hub assembly. You need to take the spindle cap and nut off to get the front drums off.

 

[1967coronet440]

Front drums are press fit over the studs on the front hub assembly. You need to take the spindle cap and nut off to get the front drums off.

Isn’t that only on 65 and prior cars?

 

[FranksCoronet]

Are you losing brake fluid? Master cylinder is suspect, but you need to pull all four drums as soon as possible.
Musclecarbrakes.com is your best bet for new shoes.

I took off the lid to check the fluid and the back reservoir lost a slight amount of fluid but the rest was fine. Out of the two back drums there was no leak and I can't see any on the front from my observation. I can't find a leak. Thanks for the website recommendation though!

 

[cudajunction]

You might be right on that one. Back reservoir is actually the front brakes.

 

[FranksCoronet]

I follow you on Instagram

Like bill said, All 4 drums need to be pulled

Thanks! And yea I just need to get these stubborn front drums off lol

 

[1967coronet440]

Thanks! And yea I just need to get these stubborn front drums off lol

I can’t think of why they wouldn’t come off with a little persuasion. Break out the BFH

 

[FranksCoronet]

I can’t think of why they wouldn’t come off with a little persuasion. Break out the BFH

Very stubborn and won't budge. The back brakes came off by just pulling with bare hands tho. BFH?

 

[beanhead]

Big F---ing Hammer! I had that happen once, try opening up the master cylinder and removing a little fluid...

 

[NJRR]

Big F'ing Hammer

 

[moparnation74]

Isn’t that only on 65 and prior cars?

Nope....all front drums 65 up the lugs are swedged on.....On all my restorations, I do not swedge them....Makes life easier....

 

[moparnation74]

Are you able to loosen the adjuster? may help aiding in removal and spin the drum if you can.....

Do you have access to a drum puller...maybe a parts store can rent one possibly...If the BFH doesn't pan out...careful you don't chip the drum with that hammer as well....

 

[PP1RT]

X2. Back off the front brakes all the way. They probably have wore into the drum a ways and need to be backed off to clear the lip. Probably gonna need to turn the frint drums if they are not too thin. If the shoes are worn and need replacing get a new hardware kit at the same time.
If your pedal went to the floor but dont have a leak you need a new master cylinder. It will happen again...at a bad time...and cost you more in repairs...

 

[dual fours]

Could the shoes be caught on the wear rim on the inside of the drum? Remove that oblong rubber seal, on the backside of the backing plate, (under the car behind the lower control arm) if it is there, the slot will be there and a star wheel in that slot. You need to move that star wheel with a brake tool (like a bent screwdriver) (do you have the proper tools for a brake job?) to loosen the shoes, if you turn the star wheel the wrong way the drum will tighten up and not rotate. Turning the star wheel the correct way will retract the shoes (moving them away from the drum's brake shoe surface) and the drum will come off easier. Remove the dust cover, cotter pin, the stamped metal nut retainer, loosen the spindle nut almost off the spindle, and pull the drum, then if the drum moved out, remove the nut and pull more, the outer bearing and washer may fall out on the ground. Do you have any idea what the inside of your drums look like? I'll see if I have a picture for you.
If you are having problem at this point, do you feel confident to go the distance?
There is a Left and Right star wheel assembly and the (L) and (R) marks are on the male screw's end that is inside the female screw housing. Looking though the slot that you can not physically do, it's all by feel and guess work, the star wheel's teeth should turn upwards to retract the shoes.

 

[Billccm]

The factory service manual is on line, but you should probably get a Chiltons, or Haynes manual to have handy. Used book stores probably have these for very cheap. The step by step brake service info in the Chiltons is easy to read and helpful to have at your side.

Master Cylinder is probably going bad, although I have not heard of an intermittent pedal to the floor symptom before. I assume it is possible.

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Dennis H]

Shoes. I used these guys with great results. 11"Hemi drums on mine though.

www.musclecarbrakes.com.