I have only had the car a month, I was told that a year ago some recommissioning work was done, which included brakes (but the car hadn’t been driven after that work). So somebody has been in here doing stuff…
Yes, I noticed the handbrake isn’t doing anything either – it’s quite odd.
At the moment, pedal travel is not great, but not horrific, and the car does seem to stop ok. But I noticed that it smelt very hot a few times when I’ve parked it and although I can still push the car, I can hear and feel it stopping as if the handbrake is up a notch or two - which to me says binding brake…
The drum was hard to get off because it has been done up ridiculously tight , although it didn’t take the pads off the mounting points when it came off eventually. In prodding and poking, I know I’ve moved them, but I thought I had re-centralised them. I will take the other side off tomorrow but access is a bit of a pain. I will need to reassemble this side first and move the car.
It is entirely possible that what you see in here is not right. There are at least two other things on the car that I consider not right (like fuel hose going straight through the chassis without a grommet). I have no reference point though, as this is my first 500.
Have a look at the photos, I find the pad wear very odd. There is a strange amount off the top on both sides. But the actual outside of the brake pads seems to have fairly light wear. I must’ve driven it at least 100 miles now. The hub feels fine inside though, no grooves. I wonder if this brake is actually doing anything…
So it looks like two strange things at least.
Why is there no hydraulic action on that brake cylinder and obviously check that operation when you can access the other side.
Also the hand brake action, I suspect the handbrake lever inside the braked rum where it goes between the two brake shoes is either not located correctly or something broken.
I am not sure regarding the quality of the rear shoes as well. There is also the odd wear marks as though the shoes are not sitting in line with the drum correctly, it can be difficult not being beside the car, just looking at pics.
See if the other side brake cylinder is working, it is almost like a brake pipe or something is damaged not letting brake fluid into that wheel cylinder on the binding side.
When you go about reassembling make sure the handbrake adjustment is back right off before you start, as you have to get it perfect in the brake drum before any external adjustment.
On your self adjusting mechanism when everything is correct the shoe self adjusters sit on pins that should locate them, the theory is when you press the foot brake and work the handbrake those self adjuster friction pads allow the shoes to move closer to the brake drum but not drag. What I have found often happens is if cheap quality brake shoes have been fitted the brake return springs over rule the friction pad adjuster so the shoes move back and you have a slack brake pedal and also a poor handbrake, what sometime happens is people try to correct it by over adjusting the handbrake making matters worse.
There are ways around it by weakening the top return spring, but ideally a good quality set of shoes should self adjust correctly.
When ever I work on that type of adjuster I ease the shoes outwards with a screwdriver to just about get the drums on, then when drums fitted give the drum a gentle tap with a copper mallet this squares the shoes up so they are close to the drum but not dragging so as good as possible and then adjust the handbrake cable side.
From what you have found and also said about the fuel pipe through the chassis etc. it sounds like you will be busy putting it right so you feel happy to drive it safely.
There are several on Forum who have a greater more specific knowledge of your model like
@the hobbler who can advise. My knowledge is more general after over 50 years working as a general motor engineer on all makes, not Fiat specifically.
