Triumph Repair: 72 Triumph Spitfire, rear brakes, rear shoes

Question
QUESTION: I just purchased a 72 Triumph Spitfire. The brakes went out as soon as I bought it. It had not been driven for awhile. I discovered the drivers side front brakes were in bad shape. I have replaced the brake pads and put a caliper kit on the front brakes. I bled the brake lines but still can't get enough pressure on the rear brakes. What do I do next to get them to work?

ANSWER: Joel,

How are you judging pressure for the rear brakes?  By whether you can lock them up?  Normally the brake system is biased so the rears shouldn't lock up under normal circumstances.

One problem that sometimes occurs is the rubber brake lines swell internally when they get old, cutting off the flow of brake fluid.  Normally you can force fluid past the blockage, then when you release the brake pedal the fluid can't return and so the wheel stays locked.


Cheers,

Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The rear brakes are not locking up but the brake pedal is going all the way to the floor. The front brakes are working I have checked the system for leaks and found none. I bought a bleeding kit form parts store but have not tried it yet.  

Answer
Joel,

There are two possible problems... air in system or the rear brake shoes are adjusted too far IN.  

Unfortunately there's not a nice quick way to bleed the rear brakes.  Having an assistant can make the job much easier.  And be careful not to allow the master cylinder reservoir to empty or you'll be doing it all over again.

Usually I just leave a piece of 1/4" i.d. vinyl tube over the bleed nipple and leave the wrench in place.  Use enough tube to make a "loop" up then down into a catch can.  Watch for air bubbles and other "stuff" in the system as you bleed.

As to adjusting the brakes... a quick test is to put the parking brake on then pump the brake pedal a couple of times.  If the pedal firms up then the rear shoes need to be adjusted out closer to the drums.

Cheers,

Jim