The 100 Forum

Hi,

I'm looking for advice, tips, or maybe even a video on how to mount the front brake shoes on BN2.

Seems stupid I know, but the springs are quite strong and I don't want to break anything or hurt myself.

Note that these are different than BN1.

Thanks,
Bob

Bob, firstly make sure the steady posts are fitted onto the back plate prior to fitting the shoes. Once shoe is on you cannot get to the post hole. I note the post is missing from the other shoe location in your photo.
Next, with the return spring fitted as you have done so far, slide the end of the shoe onto the fixed abutment slot of the piston, not the slot in the other piston as you have shown. This does give more room to lever the other end of the shoe into the piston slot by using a long screw driver or chisel resting onto the back plate and levering the end of the shoe into the piston slot. Make sure you have brake grease smeared on the shoe abutment ends, not on the piston rubber though! It may take a few goes but it will work! Done this many times over the years and so far it works.
Peter

Hi Peter,

I know it sounds stupid, but I have not yet succeeded in mounting the brake shoes.

Can you give me any more specifics on how to go about this, like the type of tool to use and specific lever points on the shoe and the backplate (or wheel hub)?

Sorry to be such a dunce.

Bob

Bob, specific tools are a flat faced chisel or large slotted screw driver long enough to give you leverage. Are you attempting to mount the brake shoes before you have the back plate and hubs fitted? Your photo leads me to think you are! The leverage of the brake shoe relies on the screw driver or chisel using the hub top flange edge as resting point of the chisel or screw driver and putting the flat end part of chisel or screw driver under the end of the shoe that is furthest away from the spring and that is going to be raised into the piston slot. It will not work if back plate and hub are not fitted to the front stub axle. Remember as I described earlier, first fit spring as you show but with the shoe end next to spring already fitted into the fixed abutment slot of slave cylinder, you then lever with the tools the other loose end of the shoe into the other piston slot. It takes some leverage but will get there! Ensure piston is fully depressed.
If you are still stumped let me know and if your are willing and paying, I will fly into Perugia from City of London airport and visit you on my way to a little town called Castel Gandolfo just south of Rome and the best Restaurant in the World, Pagnanelli!!
Good luck and ‘may the force be with you‘ on the brake shoes.
Peter

Thanks again Peter,

The backplates and hubs are now mounted, so I'll give it another go using your tips.

I've been to Castello Gandolfo, but didn't know about the restaurant. Have to try it.

We're in Castiglion Fiorentino. Stop by and see the project if you're in the area!

Bob

Hi Peter,

Looks like I may need to take you up on you offer to visit.

I have attached a photo with the brake shoe in place (not mounted, just in place).

It seems to me that the distance between the top of the hub and the bottom of the brake shoe is too large (and the horizontal offset too small) to offer the required leverage.

Please enlighten me further.

I also included a photo of the tool I am using.

Bob

Bob, absolutely confused as to why your shoes do not slide into the piston slots!
I have taken my drum off the same one as you-off side on mine-nearside on yours. See sequence of photos that may go onto another post!
Comparing your photo to my layout, shoe appears same but obviously new linings.
I managed to lift by hand the top left of the top shoe that is I sprung very easily and then using a flat chisel levered on the unsplined section of hub, easily lifted the bottom of the show back into the piston slot. I tried this again just using my hands and although with a bit more effort I was able to lift and slot into the piston top slot.
The only thing I can think as a possible problem are;
. Incorrect shoes-not BN2 type
. Adjuster cams on back plate not fully backed off to allow show to go into the piston slot
. Piston within the slave cylinder not fully recessed.

Cannot see any other way to tell you how I do it without problems.

Hope this helps
Peter

Bob, just thought of another possible issue.
When you are trying to lever up the non sprung end, the pin on the back of the shoe that the adjuster cam works on can hit this adjuster cam and stop the shoe lifting! You have to slightly pull the shoe away as you lever up to clear the cam to ensure the peg passes the cam!
Peter

Bob

It looks you don't have de correct brake shoes.
Did you make a trial fit inside the brake drum to check the radius?

Johan

Thanks to everyone. The shoes are mounted and everything is good.

Peter, thanks especially for the photos. A picture is still worth a thousand words.

Bob

And just when I though all was good...

I got the shoes mounted and discovered that the brake drum wouldn't go on!

My car came with the original wheel cylinders and a set of NOS ones. Of course I used the new ones, but it turns out they weren't the same.

The new cylinders were 303300W, which are for BN1, and larger than the 303200W on the BN2 (1" vs. 3/4". Also, they are 1/4" longer which is why it was hard mounting the shoes and why the drums won't fit.

One pair of the originals was an off brand (see third photo). Does anybody know anything about these?

I'm sharing this in case it might help someone else, and also to ask if refitting the old ones is recommended, or should I get new ones.

Bob