Drum backplate orientation

[Bonzo]

Today's task was to clean up my rear brake drums, backplates & hub carriers, a job that I have been putting off for ages

Toyed with the idea of sending the backplates for blasting & powder coating but was worried I would not get them back in time to get my chassis rolling ( Need the workshop for MOT work soon )

To be honest, they were not too bad so I gave them a darn good clean up & sprayed with 2 pack epoxy mastic.

Now before I bolt them back onto the rear uprights, I thought I would ask folk about the correct backplate orientation.

How have you fitted yours ?

What I mean is, does the handbrake cable enter from the front of the rear drum assembly ( As it did on the donor car ) or does the cable enter from the rear of the drum.

Thinking about it, I guess there will be a better cable run if taken to the back of the drum.

Just thought I would run it by everyone before I re-assemble the rear end of the car.

Today wasn't totally uneventfull, on the last coat of paint, my baby compressor went up in a cloud of smoke
Just enough air left in the tank to clean the spraygun

[HandyAndy]

I,ve fitted mine as it was fitted to the donor....handbrake cable enters the drum backplate from the front ( closest to the seat back panel ).........BUT....

I saw another in build Roadster last week & noticed the cable enters from the rear (RS14 area)....

So now I,m not sure which is the correct way either

cheers
andy

[AshG]

As andy says handbrake cable to the front.

[Bonzo]

Cheers Andy & Ash

I was looking at your build photo's earlier Ash ..... Completely missed that picture, definately need to visit Specsavers

[HandyAndy]

PHEW Thanks for putting my mind at rest Ash, had visions of having to swap them over , easy enough to do without brake fluid in the system but i,ve just managed to get my brakes all set up nicely with good brake pedal pressure.
Tho, may I ask your opinion please?......... My handbrake cable is routed within the diff cage(not over the top as in your pic) then routed over the top of the driveshaft but below the upper wishbone, nothing makes contact, so do you think that will be ok for Mr IVA man? ( sorry can,t download a photo at the mo).

cheers
andy

[David_17]

Mine are the other way round (cables at the back), cant see it causing a problem and the cables are a nice smooth curve into the drum.

[AshG]

David i can see the problem its not having the leading edge of the shoe facing the correct direction.

andy i put it that way because i didn't feel comfortable with it anywhere near the drive shaft and i didn't have time to make a bracket prior to iva.

Over winter im swapping the diff out for an lsd and fitting rear callipers that come with the lsd rear end so chances are i will re route it like yours. having it over the top certainly makes iva easier as there is no chance of it rubbing and it proves you dont intend to use the space as a boot removing a fuel tank placement issue.

[flyerncle]

As above, the leading and trailing shoes are the wrong way around and the cable enters from the front of the back plate,could cause efficency problems and I had fitted mine as per Ash's picture.

The metal part of the shoe sits on pads on the backplate and powder coating may cause the shoes to foul the drum face due to sitting proud of the pads.
Possibly something to consider.

[David_17]

Doh! Looks like I'll be swapping mine tomorrow

[Bonzo]

Originally Posted by flyerncle

The metal part of the shoe sits on pads on the backplate and powder coating may cause the shoes to foul the drum face due to sitting proud of the pads.
Possibly something to consider.

Glad you bought that up Paul, was thinking if I ought to remove the paint from those pads .... All done

Well I have managed to reassemble the rear hubs, although I still have to remove the drums to fit the shoes ( Waiting for handbrake cable to arrive )



Hopefully my braided brake lines will arrive tomorrow, Rally Design have sent them today.

Thanks for the info Ash

Next job on the list .... Brake & fuel lines .... Ohhh & finish that exhaust manifold