Installing new shoes on 67 11” police brakes - adjusters

[AR67GTX]

Putting new shoes on a 67 GTX that I put shoes on 20+ years ago. Wanting to make sure I have the adjusters mounted correctly and didn’t screw it up 20 years ago.

I believe the adjusters on the front end have the star adjuster towards the rear as this photo I found on the Internet shows and per my existing set up.

But, I notice that the rear example in this photo shows the star adjuster towards the front on the left rear brake. I haven’t pulled my rear drums yet. Is that correct? Both sides?

Neither my 66 or 67 FSM have a dang thing in them on the police brakes.

 

[Jerry Hall]

All 67 11" drums are heavy duty/police. No difference. If I'm not mistaken the adjusters are marked L&R. The wheel should line up with the backing plate hole for adjustment.

 

[AR67GTX]

Hi Jerry. I tried cleaning mine up but couldn’t find any markings. They are a little rusty on the surface but work fine. I did adjust my front drums a few months ago and the method of adjustment went correctly. Pretty sure when I put new linings on years ago, I did one wheel at a time and kept the hardware with the particular wheel. I’m less certain about the rear but guess I’ll figure it out for sure when I get there. Just seems odd the star adjuster would be towards the rear on the front wheels, but towards the front on the rear wheels per that picture. All my backing plates have 2 adjustment slots so they are no help.

 

[Jerry Hall]

I forgot the backing plates have two slots. I think you have to completely take the adjuster apart to see the R&L.

 

[493 Mike]

Hi Jerry. I tried cleaning mine up but couldn’t find any markings. They are a little rusty on the surface but work fine. I did adjust my front drums a few months ago and the method of adjustment went correctly. Pretty sure when I put new linings on years ago, I did one wheel at a time and kept the hardware with the particular wheel. I’m less certain about the rear but guess I’ll figure it out for sure when I get there. Just seems odd the star adjuster would be towards the rear on the front wheels, but towards the front on the rear wheels per that picture. All my backing plates have 2 adjustment slots so they are no help.

The "L" and "R" are stamped on the end of the star wheel. Take off the "cap" and look at the end.
Mike

 

[R/T Boy 67]

From what I can figure out, the manual adjusters all have the same thread. The star wheels are toward the rear on the right side, and to the front on the left side. This is so the adjustment tool moves in the same direction for tightening, on all wheels.

 

[AR67GTX]

OK, I didn’t look there for the marks. But I wonder why they are marked L and R if the threads are all the same? I may have to switch it around on my left front if that is the case. Either I or a PO might have switched it around years ago on the left. I’ll spin the star and see if they are threaded the same.

Thanks guys.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Auto adjusters are marked right and left. My parts books listed one part number for manual adjusters and two for auto adjust, R and L.

 

[AR67GTX]

Auto adjusters are marked right and left. My parts books listed one part number for manual adjusters and two for auto adjust, R and L.

That makes some sense - thanks.

 

[MoparLeo]

Here you go. Just download a Factory Service Manual.
All info and diagrams are there.
Service Manuals – MyMopar

 

[AR67GTX]

I have printed 66 and 67 FSM. Neither one has one iota of info on the HD Police brakes used on the GTX and 66 Hemi.

 

[Fran Blacker]

On your 67GTX do you have 11"X 3" rear brakes?

 

[Jerry Hall]

All 5 of mine have 11X3 rear brakes and the ones with drums on the front are 11X2 1/2.

 

[AR67GTX]

Fran - no, they are 2-1/2 by 11.

Jerry, I think you may be having one of my low caffeine, left vs right moments. Might want to double check that.

 

[AR67GTX]

Got the front brakes done and new bearings installed. The adjuster star to the rear on the Rt side and to the front on the Lt side does work. Turning the star down on both sides correctly spreads the linings out.

I think when I installed shoes way back I could only find info on self adjusting brakes in the Plymouth shop manual and the star wheel is always to the back on all wheels, thus the different right and left adjusters. Different approaches.

I even looked in the 66 FSM supplement for the Hemi since they were equipped with HD/Police brakes. It just has a note referring to the regular FSM for info on the 11” brakes. But the FSM only addresses standard, self-adjusting 10” and 11” brakes and the disc brake option. 1967 the same - no bueno.

 

[AR67GTX]

Forgot to post. Here’s what you brake shoes look like when the hoses go bad and don’t release pressure. Burnt and rock hard.

NOSR asbestos linings from Craig Stanley with Mobileparts.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Fran - no, they are 2-1/2 by 11.

Jerry, I think you may be having one of my low caffeine, left vs right moments. Might want to double check that.

Will do, thanks.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Will do, thanks.

I bought a Dana 60 out of a 67 GTX and it had 11" X 3" rear brakes. When I bought a Hemi guy threw in a 11" X 3" drum. Thought somebody might need one, measured it with calipers and appears uncut.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Fran - no, they are 2-1/2 by 11.

Jerry, I think you may be having one of my low caffeine, left vs right moments. Might want to double check that.

I think I got the rears and fronts reversed. Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[AR67GTX]

I bought a Dana 60 out of a 67 GTX and it had 11" X 3" rear brakes. When I bought a Hemi guy threw in a 11" X 3" drum. Thought somebody might need one, measured it with calipers and appears uncut.

Apparently a number of early B-Bodies and C-Bodies received 11x3” rear drums. Maybe some taxi and police packages too. But the 67 GTX was not one from the factory. But I think the 11x3 backing plates will fit on any 8-3/4 or Dana axle so an easy swap. Seems like most of the Mopar muscle B and E bodies in the later 60s used the 11x3 front and 11x2-1/2 rear..