Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

it's quite possible that brake lining composition is causing it. Get with the supplier of the brake shoes to see what the composition is of the linings.

Tried dragging the brakes until they smoke has improved the screeching of the front brakes and now it only happens at the last few feet before stopping....have driven about 100 miles so far (not all with the brakes on)...with the exception of when you make a hard right or left turn and the screeching comes back big time... she sounds like a tiger tank, after a couple of blocks they are quiet again...any more suggestions?

How about using some of the rubbery goop they make for disc brakes? Put a dab where the shoe sits on the backing plate?

I have never tried this but it might help damp out the squeal.

FWIW
I had the same experience when I installed new shoes on my 56. The front would embarrass the hell out of you when stopping. Took drums and shoes to local brake shop and had softer lining bonded on shoes and shoes indexed to drum, stopped ALL squeal, then installed disc's, go figure?

Geez..Yeah its a pain in the ass.. I did some more hard stops today, it is getting better, went from SCREAMING to some squeaks..

Sounds like progress, like we said about 13 posts ago, keep driving, make an occasional adjustment of the shoes as the high spots wear off.

SO the shoes needed to be arced before installation. In all of the brake shoes i've ever replaced i've never had to arc any. Only minor squeel for a short period of time would obtain at worse. Usually not. Are the drums within spec regarding maximum diameter?????

It would be interesting to see the wear pattern on the shoes.

If the drums have been cut you either should (1) arc grind the linings, (2) shim the linings (if riveted), or (3) drive long enough to wear the shoes to conform to the larger diameter.