87 442 Rear brake issue

[Mat1227]

Have an 87 442 120k miles all original, issue I'm having is, when I apply the brakes the right rear wheel locks up and slides, even at slow speeds (parking lot speed). All lines from master cylinder to all wheels are new (stainless) rear wheel cylinders are new also. The brake shoes look new, no sign of contamination on them (dif oil or brake fluid). I've thought maybe my master cylinder is going bad on the front brake side forcing me to push more but that doesn't explain why only 1 rear wheel is sliding. One other thing, the car was doing this before I changed the lines and new rear wheel cylinders also. I thought maybe the one wheel cylinder was bad and giving all the pressure to just one wheel, and the lines were rusty so I changed all of them, but I still have this stupid problem. Any thoughts? I would like to get this sorted out as I'm planning on putting it up for sale to complete my 71 Cutlass S project I've had for years.

Thank you
Mark

 

[pontiacgp]

have you checked the adjustment on both rear brakes?

 

[truracer20]

It's usually caused by contamination or adjustment. Make sure everything is assembled correctly on that side, that the adjuster is moving freely and that the shoes aren't getting stuck on anything.

 

[pontiacgp]

if the shoes are contaminated you can clean them by soaking them in hot water with dish soap

 

[Mat1227]

I've had the brakes completely apart on both sides, and didn't notice anything wrong, but will check again. Both sides adjusted numerous times. Adjusters move freely.

 

[Mat1227]

I'll try soaking the shoes also,
Thanks

 

[truracer20]

Is the adjuster on that side the correct one? it should have left hand threads.

 

[Mat1227]

I thought the adjusters are the same both sides, but I see on RockAuto they do list Right and Left side parts. I will check that maybe it's on wrong?

 

[pontiacgp]

if the adjuster is on wrong the shoes not expand and may even contract

 

[mr evil]

if the adjuster is on wrong the shoes not expand and may even contract

So, the problem might be the side that isn't locking because the pads are backing off? I never thought about right and left on the adjusters....
I just put my rear brakes back together, now I want to double check!! Lol, at least it's still just a pull the drum at this point.