I have a 1979, Chevy truck, 2WD, 350 cubic inch/ 5.7 L, C10 and I can't get my new brake shoes to sit correctly. I'm working on the rear right wheel. As far as I can see all the new parts are assembled correctly but the left shoe keeps popping up and I have to force it down back into position. The tops of the shoes do not meet at the top and I can't get the drum back on, it doesn't fit. The adjuster is compressed all the way. the cylinder bolts are properly positioned. What are some things I can double check to get it right? I did this job 20 years ago and everything went fine. My left rear brake assembly which I have not yet disassembled is fine. HELP SCOTTY!!!!
Double check that your shoe diameter and the diameter of the drum are the same. Measure the drum with a tape measure. If they're not the same, the shoes won't come together correctly. I had this problem with my '79 Catalina. I assumed the sedan with the V8 had 11" diameter shoes. I was wrong. Mine were 9".
Make sure you have the leading shoe and the following shoe in the correct position. They are different. It's either that or you have the wrong parts.
The thinner shoe should be leading (facing front) and thicker shoe should be trailing (facing rear).
