Rear drum brake getting excessively hot after replacing brake shoes.

1996 CHEVROLET 3500
152,000 MILES • 7.4L • AUTOMATIC
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BANKSYPHIL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I recently replaced the drum brake shoes on my 96 chevy c3500 dually after discovering the oil seal was installed correctly and leaked gear oil into the drum. After replacing the oil seal and brake shoes on the driver side I made sure everything was installed correctly, bled the brakes and tested to make sure the brake was engaging properly but turned by hand with no drag. However, even though the wheel spins freely and does not drag it is getting extremely hot after driving. (note) I did only install new shoes on the driver side because when I checked the passenger side everything looked good and the brake shoes appear to have been recently changed.
Jul 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
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BANKSYPHIL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I recently replaced the drum brake shoes on my 96 chevy c3500 dually after discovering the oil seal was installed correctly and leaked gear oil into the drum. After replacing the oil seal and brake shoes on the driver side I made sure everything was installed correctly, bled the brakes and tested to make sure the brake was engaging properly but turned by hand with no drag. However, even though the wheel spins freely and does not drag it is getting extremely hot after driving. (note) I did only install new shoes on the driver side because when I checked the passenger side everything looked good and the brake shoes appear to have been recently changed.
Jul 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM (Merged)
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STRAILER
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,051 POSTS
This might be normal instill the brake shoes "break in" to the drums, also can I ask if the primary and secondary shoes are in the correct positions? Also, when the drum is hot can you jack up that wheel and see if it spins freely? It also might be a shoe return spring issue as well, they must be in the correct positions. Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on
Jul 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM (Merged)
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STRAILER
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,051 POSTS
Let me know what happens.
Jul 31, 2026 at 10:16 AM
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