Just some suggestions. First, pull the drum and inspect the shoes for any
contaminations from either grease or brake fluid. Sometimes you can clean it
with brake cleaner after this happens, but more often then not, the shoe will
keep sticking. Check the condition of the wheel cylinder and the brake return
springs. If either is weak or stuck, that will also make a shoe hang up. A quick
easy check for the brake return springs is to drop them on a piece of concrete.
They should land with a dull thud, if you hear any kind of sproing noise,
similar to a door spring, that spring has lost it's tension or is worn out. Time
to replace that spring. Also, check the backing plate to make sure there isn't a
burr on it that is hanging the shoes, if everything else checks out. You can
lubricate the rubbing points LIGHTLY with a high temp grease, but any excess
that gets on the shoes will give you the same problem. Use grease specific for
this purpose, any decent auto parts store should carry it. If all of these check
out, make sure the rubber line that leads to the brake has not detiorated or
rotted inside, or has gotten plugged with rust or anything. I had one go like
that on a Duster I used to own. It would apply the brakes fine, but would not
let the fluid back out of the wheel cylinder, thus making that one wheel drag.
It's not a common problem, but worth taking a look at. It happened all at once
with no warning too. Good luck and hope any of this helps.
Phil Patterson
Russell Housen wrote:
> I just went to take my 59 Desoto out and it seems that the left front brake
> is locking up. I can go in reverse okay but as soon as I apply any pressure
> to the brakes when going forward it locks up. Any suggestions? I want to use
> my car this weekend.
> Russell
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