The Camaro Club (UK)

Re the bleed nipples, I guess that was you on Facebook

Where are you up to with bleeding the brakes now? Still got issues?

On the drums/park brake: park is independant of the hydraulic circuit. The cable pulls on an arm that actuates the shoes. Getting the drums adjusted properly will benefit both normal and parking brake. They are supposed to adjust themselves during normal use, but the adjusters could be worn out.

Before fitting your new shoes/hardware (it will be fun if it's your first time!) wind the adjusters in so they are as short as possible (note there are left and right hand sides, don't mix them up), this will make assembly easier. Also slacken off the parking brake adjustment under the car.
When assembled, wind them the adjusters out a bit at a time (rotating the star), trial fitting the drum until it is tricky to fit, but not too tight that you can't turn it.

With this done, tighten up the parking brake adjuster so that you get just a couple of clicks on the foot pedal, without having to really stand on it.

I would re-bleed after adjusting. Not sure that it's necessary, but won't hurt either.

Ye that was me on FB

I managed to get the bleeders off and on again with enough torque to allow me to bleed the system. Worked rear passenger side first, finished on front drivers side. Also bled the master cylinder. The new bleeders arrived in the post, along with new shoes (spring kit and new adjusters are on their way... they are in Indianapolis according to the tracker )

Thanks for the walk through below... i did think that the mechanical hand (foot) brake would be independent of the hydraulic system. It threw me because i would pull the cable but nothing would seemingly happen, unless the shoes are only supposed to move a tiny bit.

I found a nice video of how to take apart and reassemble the drums, different car but remarkably similar, so i'll use that when disassembling, and then add you advice about adjusting the fit of the drum and the setup of the parking brake (at the moment i'm having to stand on it as you say, so something isn't right)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FYRwfKNHxw

Just a case of waiting for the rebuild kit to come through... will let you know when that happens as then i'll get started on it!

Not much has changed since the 30''s, saw this helpful video about how it all works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMEkxgY8yxE

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