'95 LX Braking noise

[Sinful7]

I just finished a brake job on my friend's '95 LX. It has front disc, rear drum. Everything was replaced, including the full hardware kit on the rear drums. Post-replacement, we found the rear makes a clicking or knocking noise when braking. I've disassembled the drums and found no unusual wear. The problem cannot be felt in the pedal. The clicking frequency slows as the car slows, so it's a rotating assembly malfunction.. I just cannot figure out what! Any ideas?

[Davescort97]

Could be caused by glazed drums, damaged backing plates or shoe contact area on backing plate is not greased, damaged or missing brake shoe and lining springs or anti-rattle clips.

Did you get the adjusters adjusted up so there wasn't a lot of free play in the brake drum? If not you can get the rear brakes adjusted by backing up and applying the brakes several times to a stop. Do this at 15-20 mph. A deserted parking lot is best.

[Sinful7]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

Could be caused by glazed drums, damaged backing plates or shoe contact area on backing plate is not greased, damaged or missing brake shoe and lining springs or anti-rattle clips.

Did you get the adjusters adjusted up so there wasn't a lot of free play in the brake drum? If not you can get the rear brakes adjusted by backing up and applying the brakes several times to a stop. Do this at 15-20 mph. A deserted parking lot is best.

I replaced the drums as the old ones had significant grooving. Now that I think about it, I did neglect to clean the drum surface before installation! Maybe I'll have to get those turned now?

I wasn't aware there was a process for adjusting the drums. I'll try your method and let you know what happens. Also I wasn't aware drums required grease between the backing plate and the shoe! Seems like lubricant is not something one would want inside the drum assembly.

The backing plates showed damage around the circumferential lip, but the damage didn't appear to interfere with rotation of the drum. A new hardware kit was applied, including all new springs and anti rattle clips.

The only other consideration I've made is for flat-spotted bearings in the hub, but the noise is only present under braking force. No sound exists during accel/coasting/decel/turning.