Drum brake washer location question

[Rembrant]

Can anybody tell me where this thin washer is supposed to go in the rear drum brakes on my 1984 F150 with 8.8 rear end? It is not the spring washer that goes under the clip that holds the park brake lever on. This one is totally flat, approx 5/8" OD, approx 3/8" ID, and only 0.015" thick. I just finished assembling the LH side, so I hope it isn't critical...

[Gary Lewis]

I don't see 2028 in your kit.  Is that washer supposed to replace it?

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

I don't see 2028 in your kit.  Is that washer supposed to replace it?

Gary,

The kits did not have new 2028 parts, but I am re-using the old ones. I have at least one of these washers that were removed when I stripped the brakes last fall...so they were there before...or at least one was. I just didn't see (or don't remember) where it came from.

I don't see it in the picture above either...

Can't be that critical then...

[PetesPonies]

I've seen some adjusters have a washer on them, so the piece that slides on moves easily.

[Steve83]

Right - it's near the bottom of the diagram 372583-S.  #15 in my diagram:



It's not AS important as the grease, but the autoadjuster will work better WITH it.

[Rembrant]

Well that's interesting Steve. I have one washer that came out with the old brakes, and it was NOT in either adjuster, so I don't know where it came from. In any case, I left them out. If they are intended to be in the adjusters, they are very ill fitting (way too loose on the ID) and I left them out anyway.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! Much appreciated.

[Steve83]

Yes, it's very common for drum brake hardware to be assembled wrong.  The '74 I'm working on now has a knot in one of the autoadjuster cables, and several parts are missing.



It's also common for aftermarket parts (like those washers) to not fit as well as originals - that's another reason I collect originals in JYs.  But you can still buy the autoadjusters in several brands, including MotorCraft (linked in the caption in my previous post).

The only other paper-thin washer is #10, but it's a spring washer (not flat).

[PetesPonies]

They often were left out once it got serviced. It helps, but works without them.

[Rembrant]

While we're on the topic of drum brakes here. I also at the same time installed new park-brake cables. They're different brands left and right, but holy heck they're loose and sloppy in the backing plate holes. Both of them, the RH side a little worse than the left. Is this just another ill fitting aftermarket part? I'm sure they'll work fine, but I had to bend the tabs out a little further and add a washer to the passenger side cable. This normal too?

Btw...I haven't worked on drum brakes in 20+ years in case you haven't noticed...lol.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I bought Raybestos cables on Amazon and they were -if anything- too tight.

BTW, a handy trick for removal is to force a box end down over the fingers from the inside.
With a little wiggling they usually come right out.

[Gary Lewis]

I bought a good brand, probably Raybestos, for Dad's truck and they fit tightly.

[Steve83]

Rembrant wrote

...installed new park-brake cables.

Brands, PNs, sources?  All mine fit right, but I buy name-brands like Wagner.

Rembrant wrote

I haven't worked on drum brakes in 20+ years in case you haven't noticed...lol.

I'm glad you can LOL about it.   But if you read that first caption I posted, and the NEXT dozen or so, you'll be able to put them back right, and have them work reliably for the life of the shoes (unless you go mudding).

[Rembrant]

Steve83 wrote

...if you read that first caption I posted, and the NEXT dozen or so, you'll be able to put them back right, and have them work reliably for the life of the shoes (unless you go mudding).

Steve,
I have no problem LOLing at myself.

The park brake cables are from CarQuest...it's one of our local auto parts shops. It's a Canadian dealer only found in the eastern half of the country...or there abouts. Owned by Advance Auto in the USA, I think...

The rear brakes are already all reassembled now. I just have to connect the two rear cables to the single front cable, and I'll basically be ready for new brake fluid. Everything is new...calipers, pads, all new hard lines, flex lines, master, booster, etc. With only about 35,000 original miles on the truck, the rotors and drums were fine to re-use with a little clean up, NDB.

The truck is just an occasional weekender that might see 3000 miles per year, and definitely no mud, and likely not much rain...not intentionally at least.

Thanks for the help gentlemen,

JUst have to adjust the rear cables now, fill the system with fluid and bleed.