For the last year I have been having chronic brake issues. It started a year and 1/2 ago when I had the rear drums milled and pads replaced by a brake shop. they "forgot to reconnect the emergency brake, after getting it back from them the 2nd time, breaks worked but they squealed like pigs (like metal against metal) and there was a slight throbbing in the pedal.
I have taken it to two other shops over the last year because the squealing was constant, and the throbbing became unbearable and unsafe. The last attempt solved the throbbing pedal (although I still feel a hesitation or uneven rubbing when coasting) and the metal against metal sound remains, albeit less. I now have brand new drums and pads as well as rotors and pads.
Is it possible a mal-adjusted emergency brake (I understand its adjustable at two points could be causing this? could it be bearings or axles, I'm totally miffed and out of good San Francisco mechanics to help solve my problem, any suggestions or sage advise out there?
chr

 

You need to jack the vehicle up and spin tires by hand and listen, have an assistant gently press the brake as you are spinning to listen for which wheel has the grinding coming from it. Unless you narrow it down to which brake and find the issue you could take the wheels and drums off, take some pics and post them up here. Fronts too. I would also look on ih8mud.com for a cruiser specific mechanic in your area. Brakes are very simple but cruisers aren't always. Take your truck to someone that knows cruisers.