Rear drum sticking

[TygerTung]

I have a 1992 Suzuki Sepia and I am having a problem with the rear drum.

Every time the rear brake is applied it sticks on and to release it the lever on the drum has to be pulled back.

The cable is free and the lever and cam moves freely when it isn't assembled.

What could cause this? I am really scratching my head.

These drums are a pain in the arse, They don't work very well at all, there is no way to make them work properly, and they stick!

[cave weta]

Most likely that you have worn shoes and the cam inside is going over centre and jamming. $28- $35 and all you problems will be over..

[Taz]

Check the cable first. If ok then-
Remove the backing plate. Take the shoes off. Check shoes for wear. If ok then- Mark arm position on shaft and remove brake arm. Push shaft out. Clean shaft. Put ahsft back in. Refit brake arm ensuring it goes on the splines in the original position. Refit shoes. Refit brake plate to wheel. Hold brakes on when tightening axle to centralise brake plate in drum, the brakes will work much better if you do this. Sit back and enjoy the warm feeling of having achieved something.

[TygerTung]

Thanks guys.

I think I have sorted it out. what had happened was that the drum was either worn oversize, or the pads were worn out, so that the cam was on a big angle so that the spring pressure was unable to push it back. I solved this by welding some spacer plates onto the brake shoes at the location where the cam pushes. Shoes did get a little hot however during the welding process with a little of the shoe material crumbling off around the edges, but it still seems ok.

No sticking now so ideal!