Replacing my rear drum brakes on my 63 Valiant; put in all new internal parts, and a new aftermarket drum. I adjusted the brakes shoes so that they is some rub against the brake shoes when I put the drum on.... However, when I put the wheel on and tighten the lugs, the wheel will not turn, is frozen in place. If I loosen the lugs, it will turn again... Never had this happen before. Any ideas?

Back off the adjuster then re-adjust after the lug nuts are tightened.

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Try putting the old brake drum on then the wheel and tighten the lug nuts and see if same problem, cannot turn.
Also check parking brake is off.

unfortunately, I discarded the old drums long ago. so I cannot compare them.... Also loosening the adjuster males no difference either... Anu other ideas? I did note that the new drums have a contact area 3" deep (2" shoes in rear). Is that a problem?

I would try putting on the drum with the nuts (add some flat washers) and tighten. See if that helps the drum turn. If not see if you can see if the shoes is hitting on the drum. On occasion I have had to file a slight champher on the edge of the shoe, to clear the drum. If when using just the drum you don't have a problem, see if the drum and wheel have interference (maybe a wheel or drum weight) where the wheel warps the drum when tightened.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I like Charlie's idea very much. I wonder if the drum could be hitting the backing plate and locking it up. If the backing plate were somehow bent, OR if the drum were machined incorrectly (perfectly possible, these days), one of those could also be it.

OH, I just read your post again and you say the drums have "3 inch contact area." I think you identified the problem. Does this mean if you measure from the inner edge (twd center of car) inside the drum to its base (flat drum surface) there is 3"? This sounds like a totally wrong drum, if I am understanding correctly. Maybe the wrong application drum? When you tighten it down, the drum will hit the backing plate hard and stop it from turning. Hopefully you did not bend the drums when you tightened the lugnuts.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Thanks gentlemen, I do think I may have the wrong Drum; wouldn't be the first time I received a wrong part. Here's hoping. I ordered two more rear drums which supposedly
only have a little over 2 inch contact area.......

Yeah, that sounds better. Had a brain fart, and was thinking front brake size at 2 1/2 inch wide shoe.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I think you have a drum intended for the front 9" brakes.

Post up a picture of that drum.

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I bet Greg has it...

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

X2

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Yep.. wrong drum. Go the right one now. Thanks to all

Super!

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Can I ask where you bought your brakes?
Here in Europe it either can be one of 3 to 5 types of brakeshoes and drums and springs or they don’t have car parts for cars older then 20yrs or so

Thanks

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Renault 5 '84, '64 Dart GT Convertible