[HotRodF100]

I have a 10 bolt Chevy rear end in my 1953 Ford F100, I didn’t build the truck, therefore I don’t know what the rear end is out of. I do know that it is an 8.5” ring gear/3.42 ratio, and a 10 bolt. I thought that it was out of a 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo until I replaced the wheel cylinders and a 1978 Camaro wheel cylinder was what fit it. My drum has max diameter stamping of 9.590”, so I assume that it is a 9.5” drum. The machined breaking surface inside the drum is 2.5” wide, but both the Camaro and the Monte Carlo both spec out a 9.5” shoe that is 2” wide. Is it possible that the drums braking surface normally could be an extra ½” wider than the shoe?

I replaced these shoes a while back and they had drug in the drum since day 1. When I pull out with no foot on the brake whether going forward or reverse, they drag and make a noise. When I removed the shoes, although the short shoe fits the diameter well, the secondary shoe rocks in the drum a bit. The wear pattern is mainly on the top of the shoe and the center of the shoe is untouched some 200 miles later.

Any suggestions on how to figure out which shoes are the right ones or why the wear pattern is all messed up? I am having other brake issues, is it possible that the 200 or so miles wasn't enough to seat them yet?

[Crosley]

moved brake question to brake forum

[HotRodF100]

UPDATE, a closer measurement of the drum proves that 2" width may be correct. I am still struggling with the dragging and the weird wear pattern. Since my brakes are currently jacked up anyway, is it possible that they just need seated to hit all the way across the shoe? Should I fit the shoes by belt sanding material off of the high spots like they did in the old days?