57 Ford F100 Drum Brakes

I am currently restoring a 57 f100 with Drum brakes. I replaced the shoes and currently working on replaces the rest of the spring hardware inside and the brakes lines. I was going to replace the wheel cylinders also but wasn’t sure if just purchasing a wheel cylinder replacement kit would work just as well. The problem now with my brakes is they don’t work well. They have a squishy feel to them and need to be pumped before they start to work. Even then they don’t work well. I have replaced the shoes and bleed the lines. The front brakes bleed without issues but the back brakes hardly had any fluid flow out of them. I bought the truck a few months ago and do not have any of the history. I wanted to do everything right since I will be restoring and keeping the truck. I am new at this and any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o> I have found several other posts for Drum brakes on the 57 but none really reviewed on what should be replaced, especially if you don't know the history of the vehicle.</o>
<o></o>
<o>Keith</o>

 

check for any pinches in the lines going to the back brakes. is it still the non split brake system where the master feeds front and back with one line splitting into 3? 2 to the front and 1 to the back.
if its not pinched im thinking the line is clogged and or rusted inside and needs to be replaced.

i would try to replace the whole wheel cyl instead of just getting a kit. unless the cyl bore is in good shape. (they usually are not)

just my 2 cents.. hope it helps.

 

you do know that the rubber hose at the rear could be swollen almost closed

 

good point. mine was when i starting on the brakes with my 57
probably a good idea to replace all the rubber hoses anyways. just to be safe.

 

Excellent, Yes I was thinking it would be better to replace everything too. I mean its more expensive but might be cheaper in the long run and everything will be functioning. Sorry I haven't responded but I had back surgery last week and haven't been up and round in a few days. Hopefully I will be back on my project next week sometimes. Thanks for all your wisdom.

 

we did the same thing with my sons 52 f1 we replaced the wheel cylinders and shoes and put all new rubber hosesfront and rear and checked the operation of everything and had the drums turned. and when we put it all back together it was like yours I had to pump it and it was spongy BUT I remember (thanks to HAMB) that I didn't adjust the brakes (they are not like the new cars they don't self-adjust) Hopefuly that should get you going...Kyle

 

Which power brake booster fits this truck?

 

I found out that the 66 F-100 booster has a different bolt pattern but that doesnt matter because the pushrod is longer.
So I made a plate to fit the holes on the firewall and one to fit the booster then added the correct length spacer in between the plates.

 

50+ year old steel brake lines should be replaced just on general principles. I had a brake line rust in two on a '90 Ranger in '03 when the truck was 13 years old. Likewise replace the rubber brake hoses if they are originals or if you don't know how old they are. You can buy new wheel cylinders for not much more than the cost of a rebuild kit. The F100 drum brakes are good brakes, about as good as drum brakes get.

 

They will flake off inside and plug themselves too.