Rich

 

Thanks for the reply.

The Inside Pull Lever area is OK.  It is the Actuator Bar popping off the shoes themselves.  Did not change or remove the Actuator bar.    I was the first to remove the drum/rotor assys from the vehicle (92,000 miles.) so I had to drill out the rivets to remove the drums.  Replaced both calipers and pads, rotors were like new with no wear at all, but I had the Drum surfaces turned since I replaced the shoes.  Cables appear fine with plenty of adjustment (no problem getting a good "feel" on the E-Brake lever.)  There doesn't seem to be anything holding the actuator bar in place, in other words, no "notch" to keep it from moving in and out of the backing plate, nor is there any "keeper" to make it stay in place against the brake shoe.  That is the reason I am going to remove the spindles so I can see what is actually happening.   I've got plenty of time to do this as we have several inches of snow on the ground, so I'm not going anywhere in the vette.

 

FYI;  I've wanted a vette since I was 16, and had to wait til I was 59.   Favored the 69 to 82 body style and selected the 79.  Purchased from a collector last year who had it in storage for 13 years.  Leaked from every orifice possible.   I have replaced all the seals, Pumps, belts hoses, you name it.  No leaks now, but have to get the parking brake working as it has a 4 speed. 

Congrats on the car and Welcome to the club!

RIch

 

 

I appreciate the help!   I will replace the bearings if they have any indication of wear, and of course I will replace the inner and outer seals for sure.  I have a lift in the basement, so doing the extra work is only time consuming, but not hard. 

 

Just curious - does the photo of my vette appear in the post?

 

Rick Fernau

Show Low, Az.

Rich

 

Ok so I went home for lunch since I am so busy..picked up the box of old parts..I still have the old springs also!!  Don't know why but I kept everything..so I looked at the shoes and it looks like the actuator is just notched in and held in place by the tension of the springs, that hold the shoes on, and backing plate..I would think then that the only thing that would allow them to pop off is the springs are to weak to hold the shoes tight to the backing plate..did the new springs look the same at least in height??  That's my best guess..maybe take a pic of it after it popped off..may be able to see something in there that's not right..the only other thing it may be is the rotors but I wouldn't bet the farm on that..what type of wear pattern do you have on the new shoes..does it look even all around??or just inside or outside on the shoe..top or bottom..give it a look see..maybe something will show up there..

Rich