The Camaro Club (UK)

my 77 camaro has a drum and wheel which gets hot after a few miles. Theres no rumbling or knockin id link with a worn bearing so am thinkin a shoe is sticking?..how would i check for park brake cable stretch..and remove the drum to check shoe?

How hot is hot? I'd expect some heat. Compare one side to the other to see if one is hotter than the other. If they are the same then possibly no issue.

After that, I'd start by pulling the drum off and doing a visual inspection. Check for anything obviously broken or odd wear patterns on the shoes or drum.
Check for leaks around the slave cylinder.
Have someone GENTLY and only parially press the brake pedal to check that both sides of the slave cylinder are moving out - and back in again when the pedal is released. Caution required here as you could push the pistons right out.
Check the star adjuster assembly - you may need to remove it. Does it move OK?
How many clicks does it take to apply the parking brake? Does the parking brake work?

Let us know how you get on?

Ok, re-read it and missed some of your questions.

To remove the drum - remove the rear wheel, then pulll on the drum. It should be that simple, however if the drum is very worn it may be held on by the shoes on a lip. If this is the case you may need to manually turn the adjusters - which may or may not be accessible! You have to put a screw driver through a small slot at the 6 O'clock position from the back side of the brake assembly. There may be some rubber plugs in the access holes, or you may have no access holes at all. (Which is where the fun begins).

I can't remember which way you have to turn the adjusters to loosen them, but they will be the same both sides, i.e. both sides up will do the same thing, as the adjusters have a left/right thread on them.

I would suggest looking on YouTube for videos on drum brake removal, they can show a lot better/easier than describing anything on here.

I am by no means an expert on the mechanical side of things, I just tinker now and then with old cars, but getting to look a the rear drums should be pretty simple.

Remove the rear wheel and the rear drum cover should be removable, though you might need to tap it 'gently' with a hammer to loosen it - (edit - read the above posts, the hammer may not be required then!). Once you can see inside you can check the drum, the pads and springs etc. I also only just bought my Camaro and found that one of the springs in the driver side drum was broken, meaning it wasn't disengaging, you might find something similar.

The parking break cable you can check it is freely moving form under the car, I am not sure but I would guess there must be some adjustment available at one end or the other, otherwise I don't think its a big task to replace it.

I have to say I already bought a Haynes manual for my Camaro (out of habit), but the source of info readily available on YouTube renders it almost pointless!

Thanks guys!....the park brake works....I'd say 3 clicks to engage....and the release lever pings easily....I looked at the back plate of the drum unit and see only one conduit running into it...presumably for the park brake cable...I was assuming I'd have to release the bearing to remove the hub..so this sound s easier!.....its the passenger side rear that is heating up...soyes it'll be ones of the two mentioned....ie broken spring or stretched cable...I'll have a go this weekend .....need to get a trolley jack as I don't trust the bowtie one after 39 years !.....by that comment you'll gather I'm just getting sorted with basic bits n bobs to get tinkering!

Check it against this

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181713

_________________
My '80 progress thread - hugger orange! Now with LQ9 power - forged pistons, LS2 rods, 236/242, .621/.612, flowed and milled 317 heads. MS3X

4L80e, 12 bolt, 4.11, Moroso brute strength posi, steel shafts.

Subframe connectors, g-braces, solid body bushes, carbon hood and front bumper, custom door cards, Autometer gauges.

When you get the drums off, take a many pics as you can from all angles,
otherwise you´ll never get it back together again.
Saying that.....those springs, retainers etc., go back in an order, so if´n you got time you can learn to do it.
Here are mine without the axles in the way, pretty sure 3rd gens are the same as 2nd..
Driver side.


Passenger side.

By the way, those springs are strong, very strong so take care they can fly.....

Cheers!...think I'll enlist the help of two mates who are more knowledgeable.

Glad this thread has come up, it'll be M.O.T. time soon . I think mine might need attention also. It's definitely more than three clicks on the parking brake pedal to properly engage the brake. Although, it does hold the car in place when applied. What could be a problem is the hydraulic pressure to the brake cylinders, I'm not sure if there's enough.