Brakes Pulling to the left...

[bluef250]

Did the truck pull before the brake job? If not, then something done during the work is causing the issue. I would check to make sure that all parts were reassembled correctly. I have put parts together incorrectly and had similar problems.

[heep70]

How about the shoes, are they put on the correct way? Not upside down or backwards? I don't have a good pic for you to look at. Fordification might have one.

Did they pull before you did all that work? Check the drum thickness. shot in the dark there.

[nikon4u]

Yes the truck did pull before the brake job, and yes the shoes were put on the right way according to Chilton.

[nikon4u]

Does everybody agree with the theory that the H-block is only for front-to-back and not side-to-side?

I tried to get the line off of the H-block but it stripped out even with a line wrench.

[nikon4u]

I almost am thinking to take off both front wheels and drums and have someone step on the brake and measure how much the shoes move out on both sides. Is that a waste of time if I put on new shoes and brake cylinders?

[bluef250]

Have you checked the rest of the suspension for abnormal wear and things out of the ordinary? Some of things to look at include the king pins, bushings, shocks, tires, and tie rod ends. If the power steering is bad, that can cause the truck to pull all the time. I am not sure how much you can tell from removing the drums and testing the wheel cylinders. If the brakes bled out ok then you have fluid to the each wheel cylinder. Verify the information in the generic repair manuals with a second source. The H block only moves a piston back and forth if an imbalance occurs between the front and rear hydraulics. Grease and oil on shoes can cause problems. Brake cleaner will remove this debris. Let us know what you find and hang in there.

[FORDification]

I agree....the distribution block doesn't have any side-to-side OR front-to-back properties. It's simply a junction block (with an electrical switch inside). It has absolutely no effect on braking functions other than to distribute the brake fluid.

I'd venture a guess that your brakes were simply not adjusted correctly. If they're set unevenly (one side tighter than the other), you're going to have the pulling problem. The general rule of thumb when adjusting them is to turn the adjusting wheel in until you can't spin the wheel, and then back it out 10-12 clicks. I think I'd try that route before anything else. And as mentioned, you might also want to check out the pads just to make sure they're clean. Maybe some brake fluid got spilled on one side while bleeding the brakes? (Unlikely, but possible.)

[flyboy2610]

Have someone apply the brakes and try to rotate the rights side wheel. Just to verify that the brakes are being applied on that side. For some reason the left side is doing all the work.
If the brakes on the right side don't apply, I would suspect a problem with the wheel cylinder.

[Mohillbilly]

Another possibility is that the right brake cylinder is froze up and not working at all. If you attempt to actuate the brakes with the wheels off, it wil probably just push the pistons too far out and push brake fluid.

[mrung0wa]

Hey, here is one of the CYA things.

Q: Did you put/install the leading/primary (longer) shoe in front and the trailing/ secondary(shorter) shoe in back?

I'm not say you're an idiot, just human I have done this before myself.

There are several different ways of installing brake shoes (both primary shoes on one side or one side correct the other backwards, etc), but only one (1) correct way and brother it's so important to get it right!

That's what I would check for and it's not to difficult just pop off one of the wheels (Left 1st).

Lawrence

[nikon4u]

The shoes I put on my '67 looked the same, are you sure that they are different sizes on my truck?

[fordman]

i think there are different size shoes for are trucks. it sounds like mohillbilly could be right that maybe the right side isn't working and the left side could be doing all the work. however i have to disagree on how to adjust your brakes. you spin the wheel and tighten the brakes until they rub. once they rub back them off until they stop rubbing. 10-12 sounds to far to me. just my opinion.

[rjewkes]

when driving does it wander? Does it have any pulling going down the road? Could be front end alignement. Or loosley related bad radius arm bushing(s)

[FORDification]

....however i have to disagree on how to adjust your brakes. you spin the wheel and tighten the brakes until they rub. once they rub back them off until they stop rubbing. 10-12 sounds to far to me. just my opinion.

I don't mean turn the adjusting wheel 10-12 rotations....using a brake adjustment tool through the slot in the backing plate, you back it out 10-12 clicks, which would only be about one complete revolution of the adjusting wheel.

[72hiboy4x4]

I almost am thinking to take off both front wheels and drums and have someone step on the brake and measure how much the shoes move out on both sides. Is that a waste of time if I put on new shoes and brake cylinders?

if you remove the drums and step on the pedal, you are going to hate yourself.
the unrestricted pressure will blow both your wheel cylinders, and coat your new shoes with brake fluid.
then you will get to start all over again!