Brake noise

[alfabits]

Many of you have followed my restoration at http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/giul...ompletion.html and my hard braking issue - http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/giul...tml#post577434. Since I changed the front shoes to Ferodo linings I have had a low rumble noise just as the brakes begin to make contact. It sounds like a vibration noise. It only comes from the front right side. It also seems to happen after things heat up a little (two or three light stops). I can also hear it sometime when I am letting up on the brakes.

I have about a 55 to 60% circumference wear pattern on the front shoes after about 10 miles since new. The wear pattern is on the trailing edge of the shoes.

Any Ideas what is causing the noise?

Cheers,

George

[02Lightning]

Maybe you could try swapping the drum on the front and see if the noise moves with the drum?

[Gordon Raymond]

Hi George,
I had an OLD (1931) Ford that did that with woven linings when they were new. As these were mechanical brakes, you could even feel it in the pedal. An old timer, (what I am now), suggested I sandpaper the inside of the offending drum with 220 grit. I did, and the problem vanished. This was over 45 years ago, but it won't harm anything to try it.

[jgates]

Check that the shoes are square to the drum.

Stop in and say hi if you are at the Vintage races at PIR this weekend.

John Gates
Enumclaw, WA
'65 Spider Arrugginito

[alfazagato]

The implication of having wear only on the trailing 50-60% of the shoe is that the adjuster snail is too far advanced so that the entirety of the shoe cannot be pushed into contact with the drum by the piston. Try backing it off a notch at a time.

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfazagato The implication of having wear only on the trailing 50-60% of the shoe is that the adjuster snail is too far advanced so that the entirety of the shoe cannot be pushed into contact with the drum by the piston. Try backing it off a notch at a time.

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgates Check that the shoes are square to the drum. Stop in and say hi if you are at the Vintage races at PIR this weekend. John Gates Enumclaw, WA '65 Spider Arrugginito

[jgates]

I wish I had another thought on the brakes to stay on topic, but since I mentioned brakes, that may meet the requirement.... I'll have a red 101 1600 spider, and pitting together with a yellow 101 1600 spider and a green GTV. There may be others joining us; I think they'll be 2 or 3 other Alfas.

John Gates

[alfabits]

OK John. I will look for you.

George

[alfabits]

Well the noise is still there. It definitely comes from the front right brake. I have adjusted everything several times (the last time with someone pressing on the brake pedal). I have sandpapered the inside of the offending drum with 220 grit as Raymond suggested and still it's there. I have also temporarily swapped drums and the noise did not follow the drum. I have not swapped shoes left to right yet -- maybe later. It sound like a low vibration chatter between the shoe and the drum. At speed I can actually prolong the sound with light pressure on the pedal. It starts just as the shoes are touching the drum and goes away after further pressure. It also can be quite loud.

Any other ideas?

[Gordon Raymond]

I have one, but it is a leftover from disc brake squeal. Used to be that pads would resonate on the disc using dust (like water and a flat glass sheet) for surface tension. Early on, we cured this by cutting an X across the pad with a hacksaw blade. Later we drilled small holes, and busted off pencil lead in the holes in the pads. Finally, someone figured out that black mould release used in plastic casting, diluted with isopropal (sp) alcohol, squirted on the pad and allowed to dry. STOPPED the squeal for good. Some auto supply shops sell this stuff as disc brake pad anti-squeal treatment. It does not affect braking. There is no reason it would harm drum brake linings, and may just stop the chatter. If it works, you will owe me big time. (I have NEVER used it on drum brakes, George!)

[multicam]

Hi George
reading your thread. I have the same problem with my right rear drum on my 60 Giulietta Spider. What was the resolution to your brake noise?

[02Lightning]

Could it be a weak spring?

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by multicam Hi George reading your thread. I have the same problem with my right rear drum on my 60 Giulietta Spider. What was the resolution to your brake noise?