VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 brake adjustment

Hello All,

I adjusted my brakes this weekend according to the Chevy repair manual, but there still seems to be a bit of drag occuring between the pads and drum. Is this the way it's supposed to be (which I asumme) or should the drum spin 100% freely. Thanks again to everyone!

51 Steve

I set mine to where there is NO drag, Aren't you supposed to tighten up to where drag is detected then back off so many clicks of the brake spoon? On the 53 it is seven clicks, this gives me no drag when the shoes are centerlized. New shoes probably will have more drag and not be worn evenly. I don't like any drag, it heats up the drums and shoes, etc. After a good break in drive or two I readjust them every 500 or 600 miles which amounts to a couple of adjustments per year.

Did you adjust the anchor pin? '51 - '54 had this adjustment and it makes for less drag by centering the shoes...It's described in the manual...Wish it was on my '55 which has a fixed anchor pin...