I have a '71 with 4 wheel manual drums. I'm having problems with the front driver wheel brake. It seems to brake fine under normal use - but when I hit the brakes hard (without locking up) I get a grinding sound. I've taken the brake apart several times and cant seem to find any irregular wear. The first time I put it together it was making a clicking sound but that went away. Any ideas what might be the problem?

This comes after an overhaul of my brakes. So far I've replaced the front wheel cylinders, the MC, springs, shoes and flex lines. I checked the backing plates for grooves on the contact pads and they werent too bad.

Thanks,
-rskip

Did you have the drums cut? If they are out of round this is a possible cause.

Have you checked you wheel bearings lately?

I think that noise is from when the drums were machined, they "chattered" on the lathe. When this happens, it cuts a groove in the drum surface like a phonograph record. The shoes contact the drum, and try to follow that groove, they "thread" out, and then snap back to the plate. Hence, the clicking noise. The growling is the rough surface. You will need to have the drums re-machined with a very smooth surface, and the problem will go away..

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The drums were turned - I'll have them go for another whirl. Hopefully this will take care of it. I'll probably also change out the bearings too.

=rskip