65 Dart New Brake Issue

Ditto above. I also put a smear of grease on the shoe contact points with the backing plate. Not sure if that helps or hurts. The grease might gum up and get sticky over time as brake dust collects.

You are a brave person to apply the brakes with the drums off. I hope you had a helper and very careful communication so you didn't push the pistons out of the wheel cylinders and make a mess.