'27 426 brake question

Posted by molassesbros On 2009/6/13 13:25:05

I am currently working on the brakes, which the way I see it work by rotating the cam lobe (the long side) against the primary shoe, which energizes the sec. shoe. The short side of the cam actuates the auxiliary shoe. This is how it is set up the front.

The rears, however are different. With the arrow on the cam pointing forward, the long side of the cam works on the aux. shoe, and the short side works the prim. and sec. shoe. The problem- The aux. shoe hits the drum way before the prim/sec.shoe therefore only giving one shoe that works. And it is not self-energizing, and working AGAINST the cam action, instead of WITH it, like the fronts.

The splined arms are on there correct sides and are pointing down like in the pic I found in the 326 owners manual on this site. So, did Packard do this on purpose to get the front/rear brake balance right? Less rear brake, more front?
Am I missing something? I have flipped the cams backward (arrow pointing to rear) and now the brake action seems correct, and works like the fronts.

I hope y'all could help me out. I don't want to send the car out with improperly working brakes. Thanks!