Drum Brake Locking up, very grabby.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RodC · 07-07-2002, 08:23 AM

On my 71 (disc front, drum rears) the passenger side rear brake seems very grabby and locks up eaisy. BTW I have power brakes.

I have not had it appart yet, what should I look for? Is there a spring that could break that would cause this?

Brad · 07-07-2002, 08:41 AM

Check to see if the passenger side e brake cable is frozen, also maybe the star adjuster isn't doing it's job?

da-burb · 07-07-2002, 09:46 AM

When this has happened to me it was a leaky axle seal. The oil saturated brake shoes would lock up the moment the brake was applied. Nobody tailgated me that day!

Longhorn Man · 07-07-2002, 11:38 AM

What ever it is, you'll probably notice it as soon as you remove the drum.

68 with 350 TPI · 07-07-2002, 11:41 AM

Well since everyone said everything else....... I would have to say the wheel cyl

*racedvl* · 07-07-2002, 02:55 PM

It could be the drum brake gremlin!! That little bastard is reaking havioc in my rear brakes!!! LOL!!!!

jhwkns · 07-07-2002, 04:36 PM

I'm with Brad on this one. Try lubricating your parking brake cables before you do anything else. That's a pretty common problem on these old trucks.

CoryM · 07-07-2002, 05:54 PM

Make sure your wheel cylinders are not rusted solid. Time to pull the drum off and have a look. Da-burb, I had the rear brakes on a truck lock up solid on me from gear oil on the shoes. Be fine except I was on ice and rolling at about 20mph

. HAd to leave the beater on an road that turned from snow to solid ice.
Needless to say it got creamed. Wrote off a new taurus though

.
Good Luck
CoryM

RodC · 07-07-2002, 07:12 PM

Thanks guys, I'll be takin it off tomorrow to check it out. I have had every other wheel off recently and all looked OK. I don't see any kind of fluid, but may have a small leak. Now that you mention it I have seen fluid on tractor breaks and clutches that made them act the same way.

07-07-2002, 08:23 AM	#1
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	Drum Brake Locking up, very grabby.. On my 71 (disc front, drum rears) the passenger side rear brake seems very grabby and locks up eaisy. BTW I have power brakes. I have not had it appart yet, what should I look for? Is there a spring that could break that would cause this? __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside

07-07-2002, 08:41 AM	#2
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Check to see if the passenger side e brake cable is frozen, also maybe the star adjuster isn't doing it's job? __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

07-07-2002, 09:46 AM	#3
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	When this has happened to me it was a leaky axle seal. The oil saturated brake shoes would lock up the moment the brake was applied. Nobody tailgated me that day! __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

07-07-2002, 11:41 AM	#5
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Well since everyone said everything else....... I would have to say the wheel cyl __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-07-2002, 04:36 PM	#7
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	I'm with Brad on this one. Try lubricating your parking brake cables before you do anything else. That's a pretty common problem on these old trucks. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

07-07-2002, 11:38 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	What ever it is, you'll probably notice it as soon as you remove the drum.

07-07-2002, 02:55 PM	#6
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	It could be the drum brake gremlin!! That little bastard is reaking havioc in my rear brakes!!! LOL!!!!

07-07-2002, 05:54 PM	#8
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	Make sure your wheel cylinders are not rusted solid. Time to pull the drum off and have a look. Da-burb, I had the rear brakes on a truck lock up solid on me from gear oil on the shoes. Be fine except I was on ice and rolling at about 20mph . HAd to leave the beater on an road that turned from snow to solid ice. Needless to say it got creamed. Wrote off a new taurus though . Good Luck CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

07-07-2002, 07:12 PM	#9
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	Thanks guys, I'll be takin it off tomorrow to check it out. I have had every other wheel off recently and all looked OK. I don't see any kind of fluid, but may have a small leak. Now that you mention it I have seen fluid on tractor breaks and clutches that made them act the same way. __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside



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