Brake issues

[SStockDart]

I have a 1969 Roadrunner that I bought brand new. I was thinking that disc brakes were an option on the 1969 and 1969 1/2.

I just checked Hemmings. It WAS an option that required a 727 transmission, sure grip, and a slightly smaller rear brake drum??????

Look it up yourself....Google search 1969 Roadrunner disc brakes Hemmings.

Problem solved. Good luck.

[Myron Piatek]

Over time, shoes develop a "glaze" which can reduce holding power. I touch them up a bit with sandpaper when I periodically swap the rear slicks. Personally, I think that rear brakes are more important to hold the car on the line, especially if the car has narrow front tires. If you can't harness the torque at the rear drive tires, it can slide the fronts.


There is also a trick that I've never tried. But I've heard that buying 2 sets of shoes and using the ones with more surface area on both sides of the brake assembly for more surface contact helps.

[Larry Hill]

When we ran drum brake we used 10" drums without the self-adjust parts. We would adjust the rear brakes about every ten or so runs. Every time we would change tires side to side we would adjust the brakes. For me proper adjustment was when the drum would slide on and of the shoes without dragging against the shoes. If it drug against the shoes it was a little tight. All adjustments were made with my fingers turning the adjustment wheel, with drum off. Brake shoes were parts store's cheep brand.

I want to say we used two sets of shoes. I cant remember, but I believe we used the two rear shoes (the long ones) per wheel.

Some things to look for that will cause a few problems. Cracked drums, it will happen after the drum is turned to reduce weight. Also have the drums turned so pilot turn and drum turn are concentric. With the torque that a six-pack makes the backing plate life is about two to three seasons, the five mounting holes elongate.

Install a brake pressure gauge on the rear system, it will let you know where you are. As you know the front stop you but will not hold the car in the lights, the back brakes do that.

I think the master cylinder bore was 1"

Good luck