Richard wrote:
There seemed to be a bit of grease floating around in the brake drum,
particularly on the drivers side. This seems to have come from the
hub, when
that was last re-greased. Some of this may have got onto the brake
shoes
(probably did). Does grease on the brake shoes have a significant
effect on
their effectiveness (like engine oil on a clutch plate does)? Is it
normal
for a bit of grease from the hub to pump into the brake drum when
re-greasing?
****
There is a plate between the backing plate and the drum that covers the
rear seal and it is called a grease trap. The grease trap funnels the
grease that gets past the seal to a 3/8 inch hole in the backing plate
that is located about 1 inch below the axle. There it should fall out of
the brake drum assembly. Perhaps the hole is plugged as the old grease
may have hardened. Applying too much grease while lubricating the
bearing could have forced it around the hub and onto the shoes.
Replacing the seal may not be the required. I would think that the seal
is there to keep dirt and water out of the bearing and that it is
expected that some grease will pass by and then be expelled to the
exterior. The seal is a couple of bucks but you have too pull the hub
first and we have heard that story before. Cleaning the grease off of
the shoes should get you by.
Good Luck
Larry Ternowski
Surrey BC
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