Brake eccentrics

I'm probably missing something, but what exactly is the point of the eccentric cams on the 9" brakes? If you have them adjusted to where they don't touch the shoe, isn't the wheel cylinder going to push the shoe all the way up against the drum anyway? What's the purpose of adjusting them to where the shoe rubs the drum, then barely backing them off? Is it a matter of brake pedal travel? If someone could enlighten me I'd sure appreciate it.

 

Ahh, that makes sense then. I took the brakes apart this weekend and I wanted to understand that better. Thank you. Now I just need to decide if I want to rebuild these or upgrade to the 11 inch. I'm on a tight budget so...

 

Repair what you can then save for 11 inch.

If you plan on traveling over 40 mph, I'd say 11s are a requirement.

 

I recently upgraded my front brakes to 11" and have to say the swap has been the best thing I've ever done to my Jeep. The stopping power is night and day! Deals are out there if you keep your eyes open, I got my front backing plates for free and parts for it are much less expensive than for the 9" drums.

 

Add up your costs before you decide. The Bendix 11"x2" brake parts are darn cheap, compared to the 9" brake parts.

There are lots of potential donors. I'd look for mid 60s F-100s ... I recall the backing plates can be used from those, if you make the center hole larger and drill some new bolt holes. A 1972 CJ-5 is your ideal donor. Look at the applications list for the spring kits for them. That will give you some vehicles to look for. I believe the Jeeps and the Fords will work with the '72 CJ-5 drums. There are some Dodge apps there too - with any of these except Jeep, be sure to measure the depth of the backing plate wrt the CJ-5 drums before you buy.

 

I have 11" x 2"brakes on the front of my 58' jeep Cj, they are off a Willys pick up/ Wagon and they still have the eccertiric cam. They work well enough to lock up my front wheels, however I am fighting the adjustment since I switched fluid to DOT 5. I think I may have some axle grease on my leading (larger drivers side) Shoe. Now I have a jeep that veers to the right when Heavy braking is applied. I should have put tape on the shoes a soon as they were opened up, this helps too keep them clean and free from greasy mitts...That is why I'll be doing them twice, maybe trice.....

I recomend 11" brakes but the adjustment of bendix style eccentric cam is tricky and done blind. The later model 70's cj brakes are have better adjsutments.

 

I bought my 11" plates and drums from thw following PHILLIP G HARRIS Owner <jeepworld@centurylink.net>; He has a Jepp salavage yard in Montana. He was great to deal with. I did the fronts only and the improvement was dramatic. Someday I will get around to do the rears.

 

Thanks all. I'll definitely search for the 11" materials first. I appreciate all the great info. This is my first project like this and I'm having a blast working on it. Has anyone done the conversion on just the front brakes and kept 9" on the rear?If so, how were the results?

 

Duh, Jim Warren just answered that. Thanks.

 

If you'd like a ready made bolt on kit try here http://rp4wd.com/?page_id=31

They have parts as well but not sure if they'd sell just the backing plates.

 

Yeah, I saw these. I'm tempted just too buy them and be done with it but the tightwad in me says, "no, you can do this cheaper!" (That guy is really annoying.)