Help again. 50 champion front wheel noise

[50starlite]

I wrote about this before and still haven't found a solution. I have what appears to be a brake problem on the front left wheel. I makes a rubbing or "swish" noise once every revolution as the brakes are applied. It stops straight and sure with no problems. I've had the drum turned, checked the auto brake mech. twice, and reset the wheel bearing torque several times. It just started and has nothing to do with anything I've done, which is often the case. I would consider replacing the drum assembly but a front left is going to be hard to find. Any help would be appreciated as I don't feel safe driving it like this.

Thanks,
Dick
Mountain Home, AR
http://livingintheozarks.com/studebaker.htm

[Sonny]

quote:Originally posted by 50starlite


I wrote about this before and still haven't found a solution. I have what appears to be a brake problem on the front left wheel. I makes a rubbing or "swish" noise once every revolution as the brakes are applied. It stops straight and sure with no problems. I've had the drum turned, checked the auto brake mech. twice, and reset the wheel bearing torque several times. It just started and has nothing to do with anything I've done, which is often the case. I would consider replacing the drum assembly but a front left is going to be hard to find. Any help would be appreciated as I don't feel safe driving it like this.

Thanks,
Dick
Mountain Home, AR
http://livingintheozarks.com/studebaker.htm

Sounds as simple as a shoe that's not quite formed to the drum. In other words, the shoe adjustment is a little too loose and the entire surface of one of the shoes is not contacting the drum. There is a procedure to trim/cut the surface of the shoes to get them properly rounded or formed, especially if they're the old riveted style. Did you change shoes recently? Sometimes it takes a while for them to "wear in".

Also, there may be a very slight ridge in the inside of the drum surface, (on the outboard side when you're looking into the drum when it's off). This sometimes happens when a drum has been "turned" and the operator didn't start the cutting head all the way into the drum.

Also, the '50 has a "funky" self-adjusting system, and that may not be installed/operating correctly. There's a hole in the shoe with a rub block and it's Real easy to install all those parts incorrectly. (how do I know? [:I])

In any event, if it's stopping as you say it is, drive it, give it a while, it doesn't sound serious. If there's ANYthing really wrong with the brakes on a '50 you'd know right away. They were reliable, but never the strongest system, even on their best day.

Sonny
http://RacingStudebakers.com

[50starlite]

Sonny,

I installed all new shoes 1500 milers ago. The self adjusters were removed and reassembled and I tested all of them to be sure they were in proper working order. At the same time I replaced all the contact plugs and filed them to the radii of the shoes. They were then set per the shop manual. They are bonded shoes. The problem started about 600 miles ago. I had the drum turned because of the problem.

Dick
Mountain Home, AR
http://livingintheozarks.com/studebaker.htm

[Sonny]

quote:Originally posted by 50starlite

Sonny,

I installed all new shoes 1500 milers ago. The self adjusters were removed and reassembled and I tested all of them to be sure they were in proper working order. At the same time I replaced all the contact plugs and filed them to the radii of the shoes. They were then set per the shop manual. They are bonded shoes. The problem started about 600 miles ago. I had the drum turned because of the problem.

Dick
Mountain Home, AR
http://livingintheozarks.com/studebaker.htm

Sure sounds like you've done everything right Dick. I would pull the drum again and see if you're getting a shiny spot, or an unusual wear pattern, on the shoes. It may be just the physical quality of the lining material of the shoes themselves.

I dunno, I just can't get the "shoe/shoes not adjusted correctly or not hitting equally" thoughts out of my head. It could be any number of things, but if you have one shoe "leading" the other shoe when you apply the brakes, (hitting the drum unequally), it would make that kind of noise. Somewhere way back in my memory, I remember someone who experienced something like this. But, his problem was that the bonded shoe had delaminated, or separated from the metal portion of the shoe. Not completely, just the top 1/2 of one shoe had delaminated. Probably not an issue with your new setup.

Also, very carefully look over the return springs for identical length and as much as possible, check the springing action. In fact, look over the whole hold-down and return spring setup. Are the hold-down pins new? There shouldn't be too much side to side play of the shoes when everything is in place.

Also, make sure that one side of the wheel cylinder isn't hanging up/sticking in the bore, (I'd check the front shoe portion of the cylinder very thoroughly).

Finally, I would bleed the brakes one more time.

Does the sound go away as you increase brake pressure?

That's about all I can think of right now Dick. I still don't think it's dangerous to drive, but of course that's your call.

Let us know what you find please?

Sonny
http://RacingStudebakers.com