I recently install all new drum brakes on my truck. It's an 81 dodge power ram. It has the ten inch brakes on the rear. I took all original parts off and bought all new parts. The drums, shoes, springs, self-adjusters and ebrake cables. The brake cylinders were replaced a little while ago. I put all the parts on properly and by the book. All parts lined up, the longer shoes on the back and shorter on the front. The problem now is, the drums won't fit over the shoes. It's really tight. I double checked everything and made sure the adjuster is backed off all the way. I got all the boxes of parts and phoned NAPA and made sure all the parts are for the 81, and ten inch drums. What I'm asking is, what would be preventing the drums from fitting? I thought maybe the adjuster was wrong but the adjuster kit was the same for 10 and 11 inch brakes. What might be giving me this problem? Has anyone else had this problem and was able to resolve it? Thank you

 

are you sure the brake shoes at the top are all seated correctly? maybe the park brake strut is holding the shoes out a bit.

 

The shoes are seated properly, I'm fairly certain that the park cable isn't pulling the brakes apart. The adjuster on the bottom is holding tight against the shoe metal. I don't think they are pulling it out any. I will disconnect the brake cables tomorrow and try again. This truck is causing me soo many problems it's starting to frustrate me. I have no idea what the problem could be. Thank you for the quick reply! Maybe someone else has some more suggestions to help zero out all possibilities.