Rear brake shoes

britishwardog · Aug 1, 2014

Hi all, I know the Hippo is renown for the rear brake shoes glazing over but being a bit of a Numpty mechanics wise I'm looking for a bit of technical advice, I can get 5 clicks max on my hand brake but on engaging 1st gear and gently easing the clutch pedal up I can begin to pull away without a lot of resistance from the rear end, would you say that the shoes need replacing? I know for a fact that the existing shoes were de-glazed at some point by the previous owner but they definately don't feel right to me.

Danielsand · Aug 1, 2014

britishwardog said:
Hi all, I know the Hippo is renown for the rear brake shoes glazing over but being a bit of a Numpty mechanics wise I'm looking for a bit of technical advice, I can get 5 clicks max on my hand brake but on engaging 1st gear and gently easing the clutch pedal up I can begin to pull away without a lot of resistance from the rear end, would you say that the shoes need replacing? I know for a fact that the existing shoes were de-glazed at some point by the previous owner but they definately don't feel right to me.

I started driving when disc brakes were not invented yet. Dealt with MANY drum brakes over the years. The only way to find out whether you need to replace them, is to take the drum off. When the drum is off, you'll see how much "meat" is left on the shoes. A little sandpaper action on the inside of the drum, a little on the shoes (IF you have enough meat), and clean all the brake dust, ....good to go. I NEVER use the parking brake, on autos. Lived in VERY cold climate for a while,......parking brake is a "no no"! Drove many sticks (manual tranny), and used the parking brake only for starting in the 1st on the hill.

Richard Martin · Aug 1, 2014

If your parking brake doesn't work you need to fix something, could be shoes, could be something else. Test it by stopping on a hill and see if the parking brake will hold it.

Freelaner · Aug 1, 2014

adjusters are most probably seized.

remove drum and bash with hammer then wirebrush and coat with coppaslip or graphite grease on the moving surfaces

Skinny Mike · Aug 1, 2014

Take the drum off and have a look, its the only way.
Gotta say though, even when on full mine sets off with no trouble at all, not the best braking system invented fitted to these.
Mike

Freelaner · Aug 1, 2014

mine are nearly worn down to the rivets and I can't set off

griff2 · Aug 2, 2014

i took my drums off ,had a bit of a lip ,so ground that back , worked the handbrake lever a little with wd40 as was pritty seized , drum back on ,adjusted the brakes throw the hole at back of the drum but still not working as should , i was rather puzzled

took drum off again ,swoped the drums around ( left on right etc) the took for a brake test ,

rear brakes now work perfect !!!!! on the test you are allowed a up to a max of 30 % difference in braking between either side on the rear brakes mine came out now at 1 % so spot on

so just changing the drums around worked wounders for me

(but also shows my drums are getting to the end of there life so will need in near future to buy new ones)

Rear brake shoes

britishwardog

Active Member

Danielsand

New Member

Richard Martin

Well-Known Member

Freelaner

Landy Driver

Skinny Mike

Well-Known Member

Freelaner

Landy Driver

griff2

Active Member

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