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rear brake cam toothy part wopped out

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by dwcopple, Apr 11, 2011.

  1. dwcopple

    dwcopple Active Member

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    I went to adjust my rear brakes yesterday and after I removed the chrome arm and went to re-set it, it wouldn't go on due to the cam being a bit out of shape. What kind of tool can I use the sharpen up those points again? At this point, I'd love to avoid removing the rear wheel and chain once again? A triangular file or hack saw blade comes to mind.
     
    dwcopple, Apr 11, 2011
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  2. firebox40dash5

    firebox40dash5 Member

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    Got a bike wrecker nearby?

    The splines on mine were pretty messed up. I got a whole brake assembly from an XJ550 for $5 from a bike wrecker and just replaced the cam. The downside was the shaft of my old cam was a little curved, I assume from someone dropping the bike and it landing on the brake arm. That little shaft holds up to sawzall blades pretty well!
     
    firebox40dash5, Apr 11, 2011
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  3. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    isn't there some missing teeth on the shaft and arm so it only goes on one way ?
     
    Polock, Apr 11, 2011
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  4. firebox40dash5

    firebox40dash5 Member

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    Both the 550 and the 700 I've worked on have the missing teeth on the cam shaft, but only affects the little wear indicator tab, so it can only fit the right way... or 180 degrees off if you get the cam 'upside down'. But the brake arm can still be rotated to whatever position. YMMV.
     
    firebox40dash5, Apr 11, 2011
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  5. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    "toothy part???" You mean the splines? Clean 'em up with a small triangular file; or replace the part.
     
    bigfitz52, Apr 11, 2011
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  6. cds1984

    cds1984 Well-Known Member

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    Don't know if this is obvious to all but... I worked out a ways back that removing the tightening bolt completely, in all spline type arrangements (gear shift, drum brake cam, rear brake lever etc), and spreading the clamp ever so slightly with a flat bladed screwdriver makes removing and re-installing them a breeze.

    Leave the bolt in and... not so much. Mind you, spread the clamp too much and getting that bolt back in might not be an option either!
     
    cds1984, Apr 11, 2011
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  7. dwcopple

    dwcopple Active Member

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    did that too. how much in and out play should that can have? It wants to sink back into the brake housing when messing with it.
     
    dwcopple, Apr 12, 2011
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  8. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    That's why you needed to install the arm first; before you reassembled the brake. But hindsight is always 20-20.

    Use a large screwdriver to "wedge" the arm open enough to gain enough clearance to try to slip it on there. Otherwise just give in and pop it back apart. If you push it in too far you'll "lose" the cam behind the shoes and have to take it apart anyway.
     
    bigfitz52, Apr 12, 2011
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  9. firebox40dash5

    firebox40dash5 Member

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    The easiest way I found so far is to slide the axle over far enough to pull the brake ~1" away from the drum, and use that large screwdriver to hold the back side of the cam in place.

    If I install the arm first, I always put it on in the wrong position, or can't get the actuating rod through the little barrel. Doh!
     
    firebox40dash5, Apr 12, 2011
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