Brakes hanging up
 

I`ve noticed lately that when I move my 37 out of the shop to work on something else the rear brakes are dragging in reverse. Forward is fine. Getting worse. Today I put it on the lift and sure enough the right rear would turn forward but not back. I loosened the adjustment some and the wheel would spin both directions. Backed it out and brakes are dragging still. Am I adjusting them wrong? Does the adjustment cam turn clockwise to tighten as I am doing? This not just a slight drag.. It seriously does not want to back up. Gotta use some rpm and clutch to get it to move. Thanks in advance for any help. Guess I need to buy a hub puller. Anyone recommend a source for a good one?

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Juice or mechanical brakes???

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Sorry.. Juice brakes

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Fairly new brakes? Did you start experiencing this after the car sat for a prolonged period of time? I'd try to message those brakes a little bit by driving the car before I pulled the drums....

Try this for a hub puller > http://www.vintageprecision.com/prod...ers/index.html

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Thanks Pete.. No recent brake job. Car sits during the winter except for when I warm it and move it around the yard once a month or so. I will try to get it out for a spin tomorrow. I am thinking wheel cylinder sticking?? But then.. why only in reverse? Thanks for the link. I will order one. Going to need it even if not today.

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Also.. I am running the mustang master cylinder. Very low pedal and I have blead the crap out of them. Adjusted them close. Am I doing it right by turning the adjuster clockwise to lock the wheel and back off until just rubbing?

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

I never adjust to "lock" the wheels when I adjust my brakes. My initial adjustment is to where the shoes just start rubbing....You might have a broken spring given the symptoms you've stated....

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

might be a good idea to pull the drum, I had a lining coming off that caused the same thing

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Can depend on the type of brakes used, Lockheed or Bendix. If the Lockheed is used, it is possible one of the clips that hold the shoes has come loose, or was left off when assembled. This allows the shoes to cock enough to cause your problem, and makes pulling the drum very difficult, as well. Check the rubber caps on the ends of the wheel cylinder for signs of leakage. The aluminum wheel cylinders can corrode, causing the piston to stick in the bore. A missing, broken, or weak spring can prevent the shoe from fully retracting. We replace all the springs when doing a brake job. Not expensive, and good insurance against a brake lockup out on the road.

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

There is plenty of info about the proper way to adjust these brakes. One was published by "rumble seat" Google Paul Garrigan (sp). Also you need to match shoe radius to drum ID.
I have a 38 with stock Henry brakes except with Buick finned drums. Contact Richard @ V8 garage. My car stops just fine...

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

Perfect El Rat. Thank you.. I will redo the adjustment and see if it helps before pulling drums.

Re: Brakes hanging up
 

[QUOTE=El Rat;1239779]There is plenty of info about the proper way to adjust these brakes. One was published by "rumble seat" Google Paul Garrigan (sp).

Here is a link to a bunch of articles, many are credited to "rumbleseat".

http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm