Re: Re-installing rear brake drums

Posted by TxGoat On 2023/7/26 12:48:17

It may be that when you replaced the brake drums on the axles, one of them seated further onto the axle for some reason. It may have been slightly loose before. They have to be tight, or they will not go far without giving problems.

It might help to switch the right and left drum.

People have resorted to shimming the axle taper to correct problems with fit. It's not a good practice. It's not uncommon to find shims on Model T Ford axles. You can even buy shims ready made for them.

The Packard, being a heavier and more powerful car, would be less likely to get good results using the shim fix.

In you case, I'd try switching the rear drums. That might eliminate the problem.

Running the hubs loose is not an option.

If switching the drums moves the problem from one side to the other, it points to a problem with the the hub bore.

Measuring a taper accurately might be a challenge.

If you try shimming the axle/hub, use a very thin shim that is free of wrinkles and burrs and that fits as closely as possible, covering as much of the contact surface as possible. It might be possible to fabricate a shim from a steel beercan or soft drink can.