'93 E350 Motorhome - really frustrating brake problem

[rgnprof]

I have been chasing this issue - literally - for years. I have a "93 Ford E350 Motorhome with front disc and rear drum brakes (RABS). I have had a very spongy, soft pedal and I'm almost positive I've been stopping this coach with only the front brakes. Recently pulled the rear duallys and changed out everything - new drums, hardware, wheel cylinders, shoes...

And I still have the same issue. Today, I've pulled the rear wheels again trying to adjust the brakes. I have spent several hours trying to get them adjusted but I still have no real brake in the rear wheels to speak of. My wife was in the coach, pressing the brakes and I was still able to turn the drums by hand (no tires installed yet) with the brake pedal depressed.

Also, I changed out the master cylinder last year and I have bled the **** out of these brakes!

Any thoughts? My only thought is I still have a hydraulic problem - although the front disc brakes seem to work, OR I still have not gotten these rear shoes adjusted properly to the drums.

Please help! Thanks!
ryan

[Tyler0215]

The drums may have been turned and are over sized. Take the drums to a NAPA store and have them measured, inside diameter.

[rgnprof]

Thanks Stew - I had a friend stop by, so we tried to adjust them a bit more - and that seems to have worked (thought I would try the simplest thing first). Brake lines have been replaced and I've troubleshooted the RABS valve and system for months (haven't eliminated it as a possibility).

I'm no brake drum expert - done plenty of discs - but I guess I just couldn't tell if they were adjusted "tight" enough...I'm still concerned that they might be too tight and overheat, but I at least have rear brakes.

Pedal is still soft and spongy though...

[stew47]

Keep adjusting. Also I had a 98 Winnie and the brakes weren't inspiring. I changed out the fluid and it improved a bunch. That wouldn't cause you to still be able to turn drum.