Snail Cams, brake adjusters

tony109 · Jan 9, 2020

Haven't been on here for a while, many reasons.... I have new after market brake adjusters on the back, but the snail cams aren't big enough now that the linings have worn on the shoes. Does anyone know the size of the original snail cams, approx dia and peak radius from peak of cam to centre. I'd like to laser cut new bigger Cams to fit onto the aftermarket adjusters, although I just need another 1/4" adjustment so really if I just add that to the peak of the cam, problem solved.. Would be nice to know the size of the original series snail cams just for an idea... Any pics great too.

Blackburn · Jan 9, 2020

Tony a common really quick solution is to place a small piece of tube over the adjuster pin on the shoe 8mm ID from memory.
Adjuster kits have two different size cams swb and lwb will check in garage later. Doug

Blackburn · Jan 9, 2020

Here is a photo of both the cam types in the kit I have , if you print it they come out same size as actual cams.Kit is an old good quality set I found on ebay listed as something else.
I have a SWB so do not need LWB versions but have not been able to establish which is SWB ,one set of instructions I found said the larger black ones will need to check against some spare back plates I have first.

tottot · Jan 9, 2020

And if you find you have the right size cams it may be the drums have worn, worth a check

mgd109 · Jan 9, 2020

Blackburn said:
......I have a SWB so do not need LWB versions but have not been able to establish which is SWB ,one set of instructions I found said the larger black ones will need to check against some spare back plates I have first.

Strongly suspect that is the case the smaller silver ones where needed for my LWB front (twin leading shoe). Can't comment rear.

tony109 · Jan 9, 2020

Thanks for getting back so quick.. I have the same or very similar adjuster kit. The silver and black cam options are both the same or very similar size. When I think back, when I replaced the old adjusters I saw how the original snail cams were much bigger. Having new brake shoes the replacement snail cams were only just big enough to push the shoes against the drum.. Years later now the brake linings have worn, I cannot get enough lift from the snail cams to get the full life out of my brake shoes. This why I want to make bigger cams for more adjustment, instead of throwing half worn brake shoes away.. The brake drums are very good.. With non servo brakes, Its very hard to wear the brake linings away, let alone the drum.. That said It stops quite well, but would need regular adjustment of brakes if used hard. Would be nice to know the measurement, dia of those after market snail cams and the original Land Rover item. Think the original is much bigger. Thanks again

Blackburn · Jan 9, 2020

Will get the verneer caliper out tomorrow and get you some measurements.

tony109 · Jan 10, 2020

Thanks, big help

Blackburn · Jan 10, 2020

Tony what vehicle is it for swb or lwb?
The attached pic is the mod from series 2 forum to get more adjustment using tube over adjuster pin.

tony109 · Jan 10, 2020

It's for a LWB, 11" drums. As the cams on the aftermarket adjusters have a neat simple, splined clamp arrangement, I can unbolt the small clamped on cams and replace with larger cams which I'll have laser cut.. Should be a lot easier to modify, just unbolt and replace, using the same mounting system. Easier than adding tubes to the brake shoe pegs?

Blackburn · Jan 10, 2020

Here's the pics Tony

tony109 · Jan 11, 2020

Wow, thanks for that, very clear.. I'll measure my cams, see how mine compare then get new cams cut the right size.. Thanks

nickjaxe · Jan 11, 2020

Blackburn said:
Tony a common really quick solution is to place a small piece of tube over the adjuster pin on the shoe 8mm ID from memory.
Adjuster kits have two different size cams swb and lwb will check in garage later. Doug

Yes I have done this.

Blackburn · Jan 12, 2020

Just bought 250mm of tube for £2.32p to put in my brakes spares box so I have it if problem arises.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392596064606

Blackburn · Jan 12, 2020

Just bought 250mm of tube for £2.32p to put in my brakes spares box so I have it if problem arises.

Snail Cams, brake adjusters

tony109

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