<VV> Brake Adjustment

[J R Read_HML]

I would check - for at least one, maybe a combination of...  Contamination 
on the shoes (replace shoes), wheel cylinder has at least one sticky piston 
(rebuild), rubber brake hoses disintegrating on the interior (replace), 
drum(s) out of round (get them made round).  Also, be sure the self 
adjusters are operating properly.
Later, JR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Kovacs" <kovacsmj at sbcglobal.net>
To: "David Heath" <dheath at vanceandhines.com>
Cc: "VV" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> Brake Adjustment


I would check very carefully for a partially clogged front brake hose. I may 
be due to several factors. What happens is the first application of the 
brakes there is little pressure getting through the hose, then it finally 
does. This is just one possibility, others will have different suggestions.
MIKE KOVACS



----- Original Message ----
From: David Heath <dheath at vanceandhines.com>
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 10:42:05 AM
Subject: <VV> Brake Adjustment

I have a brake question which I think will turn out to be an adjustment. I
have a Œ65 coupe and when I use the brakes the car always pulls to one side,
just a little. It is only on initial application of the brakes ­ once I am
on the brakes harder, the car tracks straight. I do not have a leaking
cylinder. Another piece information- the steering is a little loose; even
after I tightened up the adjustment screw, the steering is slightly loose
off-center. All parts in the front end are new or rebuilt (except the
steering box).
I suspect I need to learn how to correctly adjust drum brakes. What is the
correct way to set them up? How much drag should they have? I own one of
the drum brake calipers for setting the correct diameter, but frankly don¹t
know exactly how to use it; seems to be different diameters at different
places on the shoes and if I try to get it to the ³correct² diameter, the
drum won¹t go on. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
Dave Heath
Cypress, CA