Locked hand brake
 

I looked at a 29 Sport coupe today. The hand brakes are almost locked in position. I can get one click and if I struggle , I can get two. When put away in the trailer recently is worked fine I’m told. Visual inspection showed nothing obvious had not been worked on recently. The handle moves a bit forward and then hits something solid. pulling back it is stiff but then one click comes. Both rear facing rods move. There is sound from the rear drums. Bolts seem in place. Handle wobbles a little bit sideways. The ratchet paw is the thick version. What next: open up a drum? Take the handle loose? I offered the owner’s frau $10 as is. A bit tight working in the trailer as it is...

Re: Locked hand brake
 

well first disconnect the rod to the handle and make sure it moves freely by itself. Then reconect it and disconnect both brake rods from the emergency cross shaft and make sure it moves. then try one drum at a time reconnected and see what happens.

Sounds like 1 of 2 things happened: Car was put away with hand brake applied (always a nono - prolly rusted band to drum) brake never worked and age old excuse is worked fine when i last used it (ever hear "put away running" or "drove it in here"....40 years ago)

Does the car roll at all? if it does do not try to apply the parking brake - if its rust you may get them on then they will stay on and cant move the car. Isolate the rusted up section then act appropriately - if that means pull drums pull drums and see whats causing the stiffness.

Re: Locked hand brake
 

Thanks. I think the car was run recently. I'll ask. It was stored in a outside trailer

Re: Locked hand brake
 

stored in a humidity factory lol. Be very careful if you start it - clutch may be rusted to the flywheel and will take off in gear even with the clutch pedal down. start it in neutral to be safe and have noone stand in front of or behind car for safety

Re: Locked hand brake
 

Starts and runs fine

Re: Locked hand brake
 

I jacked up one wheel yesterday and the wheel would move a few radians. I'm guessing that is the slop in the shoes. Can I pound on the ebrake lever on the backing plate? pound on the backing plate? use engine torque to pop the brakes loose?

Re: Locked hand brake
 

Did you check to see if something had fallen into the gap in front of the brake handle?

FWIW, there was an aircraft crash a number of years ago where a coffee cup had fallen undetected into the gap of the control column.

Re: Locked hand brake
 

Another Clubber is looking at the car. Removed a rear brake drum. brakes not stuck. Possible pinion jam?.

Re: Locked hand brake
 

they made adjustments to the e-brake in the left rear and fixed something that was rubbing a brake rod and the brakes are fine now. Thanks all