Rear end shaking violently

[teambeechstreet]

Recently did the rear drums, shoes, and wheel cylinders on a 90 Honda Civic. Rear end now shakes violently when brakes are applied. Pulled the drums back off and everything looks fine and moves easily. Never done rear drums before so not sure if this is how they "break in." Anybody happen to know? Thanks!

 

[ltslimjim]

Shakes violently? I'm new to drum brakes myself. Last year, replaced the drums on a 92 civic hatchback. I drove in reverse and would brake at varying speeds(not crazy braking though), and it helped adjust the parking brake.

I don't know what your problem could be. I hope someone knowledge can step up to the plate for you. Give it time.

 

[willix]

Does the drum have the proper fit o the hub pilot?

 

[teambeechstreet]

I forgot to mention I bled the entire system twice over after replacing the brakes.

 

[teambeechstreet]

Originally Posted By: willix
Does the drum have the proper fit o the hub pilot?

yeah fitment was right on.

 

[willix]

You need to pull them & have them checked for runout.

Does the steering pull?

 

[OneEyeJack]

Because it's a safety problem you might want to go to a shop and let them take a look.

 

[demarpaint]

This might sound dumb, and you probably already know this but here goes. Back in the day first year auto shop we had a student put brake shoes on wrong. IIRC the front shoe is bigger than the back shoe, at least in every American car I ever touched. He put the smaller shoe up front and was able to put the drums on. Just a thought. First ride around the block I knew he did something wrong. Another thought is confirm they did in fact give you the correct part number for your car. Last resort is get it to a good repair shop.

 

[Zaedock]

The smaller shoe faces the front of the vehicle.

It's possible the shoes are on backwards, or one/both of the drums need to be "cleaned up". Back in the day it was common practice to slightly turn new stuff just to make sure. You never knew if Ace Ventura delivered your package. Pull it apart and check everything.

 

[Trav]

+1 Short shoe when/if used goes in the front of the pair.

OP: Turn the hub does it drag slightly?
Is the drag uniform or does it get tight then loose?
Did you adjust the brakes until slight drag can be felt between the shoes and drum is felt?
Does the E brake work properly?

 

[teambeechstreet]

Originally Posted By: Trav
+1 Short shoe when/if used goes in the front of the pair.

OP: Turn the hub does it drag slightly?
Is the drag uniform or does it get tight then loose?
Did you adjust the brakes until slight drag can be felt between the shoes and drum is felt?
Does the E brake work properly?


E-brake works fine and hub did have some minor uniform drag.

I'm gonna swing it by a shop to see if they can check it out for me. Thanks everyone.

 

[mechtech2]

The short shoe goes in the front on every vehicle that I have sen/worked on.

Vibration could be out of round drums, or not centered. But also shipping preservative that was not removed, and now causes grab spots.

BTW, are you sure it is the rears that are shaking? Tough to tell from the pedal. It may be the fronts.

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
The short shoe goes in the front on every vehicle that I have sen/worked on.

Vibration could be out of round drums, or not centered. But also shipping preservative that was not removed, and now causes grab spots.

BTW, are you sure it is the rears that are shaking? Tough to tell from the pedal. It may be the fronts.


I think with his car's steering I doubt he wouldn't know if it was coming from the front. He mentioned all of this work was just on the rear and all symptoms happened after doing the job.

 

[teambeechstreet]

I took it by my friend's shop and he looked it over. He said everything looked good and he suspected the drums were out of round. Paid about $50 more for some better drums and the problem was solved. That's what I get for buying the most inexpensive drums Napa had in stock. Lesson learned. Thanks everyone.

 

[stroked93]

but everything napa sells is gold......

 

[ltslimjim]

+1, glad you got it taken care of.

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: stroked93
but everything napa sells is gold......


nothing can prevent [censored] chinese products.

 

[mechtech2]

I hope they exchanged the old for the new!
I often find new drums are not perfectly round. Drum brakes have latitude - unlike rotors which are much more in need of perfection.