Brake Woes

[MoggyW]

Hello We've recently acquired a 1967 Traveller and are having issues with the brakes. It hadn't been used that much prior to us getting it, and the braking was a bit marginal. We discovered the front cylinders were seized but the rest all looked fine.

We've replaced the cylinders and bled and re bled the brakes but the overall braking is still rubbish.

A quick question to perhaps save more time wasting - when we adjust either the fronts or the backs, the adjusters can all go to the end of their travel - I think about 12 clicks and then can't be turned any more. I think I counted 14 clicks though when the drums were off. But the wheel can still be turned if they are pulled on hard - surely there should be more adjustment left and when "over" adjusted the wheel should be solidly locked and should not turn at all?? The drums, shoes and adjusters are all non rusty, none of them look very worn and there is no scoring or lips.

Before we get new whole shoes/brakes/adjusters, has anyone had experience of this?

Hope that makes sense!

[dalebrignall]

sounds like a new set of shoes , i have just changed the fronts on mine and there was a lot of meat left on the shoes , and the drums are only 4 years old i found that after fitting the shoes drove the car around for a day , then i adjusted them up again they went up 3 more clicks .

[bmcecosse]

12 clicks sounds a LOT. A 67 Trav should have the larger 8" front drums - does it? Are the shoes contaminated with oil? Are the rear brakes adjusted correctly? Loosen the handbrake cables at the lever - check the cylinders are free - get someone to GENTLY press the pedal while you observe with one drum off - then check the other. Also check the cylinders can slide in the backplates. If both are moving and retracting - adjust up on the clicks till 'just' rubbing - then adjust up the cables to put the lever where you want it - checking that the rear brakes are still free of course. That should do it....