What would cause a rear drum brake to lock up?
Rear drum brakes can lock for several reasons. One reason could be a defective wheel cylinder, which is part of the brake system. Your parking brake cable could also be adjusted too tight. The slightest pressure on the brake pedal, will then cause the brakes to work at full force, causing the lock up.
How do you release a seized rear drum brake?
With a front wheel chocked and in gear or park remove hand brake, using a soft hammer hit the brake drum between the wheel fixings, the shock should release the drum and it should now turn freely.
What happens when rear drum brakes are bad?
One of the first symptoms of bad or failing drum brakes is unusual brake pedal feel. If the brake drums are worn excessively they can cause vibrations that may be felt in the pedal. Worn drums may also cause shuddering or pulsating that will become noticeable once you step on the pedal.
What causes a brake to lock up?
Why Brakes Lock Up These can include an overheated braking system, using the wrong brake fluid, damaged or broken parts (calipers, brake pads, pistons, rotors, or others), a defective ABS component, broken parking brake, and more.
Why would a brake caliper lock up?
Non-ABS and ABS: A low brake fluid level, using the incorrect brake fluid, or brake friction material saturated with brake fluid from a leaking component can cause brake lock-up. A collapsed brake hose trapping fluid in the caliper will behave the same as a binding caliper.
Do drum brakes auto adjust?
If they get too far away from the drum (as the shoes wear down, for instance), the piston will require more fluid to travel that distance, and your brake pedal will sink closer to the floor when you apply the brakes. This is why most drum brakes have an automatic adjuster.
Why is my rear wheel stuck?
The likely cause is a failed wheel bearing unless something exceptional has caused the brake caliper to lock the brake rotor. By far, the most common cause of what you are describing is simply bearing failure though. Repair can be obtained by requesting wheel bearing replacement.
How do I know if my rear brake drum cylinder is bad?
When brake wheel cylinders do go bad, they will usually produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver that they may need to be replaced:
- “Mushy” feel to the brake pedal. One of the first and most distinct symptoms of a bad wheel cylinder is a “mushy” brake pedal.
- Delayed or slow brake response.
- Leaking brake fluid.
What should I do if my drum brake is stuck?
Observe the brake operation while an assistant sets and releases the parking brake. Note that the parking brake will not actually set with the drum released, so take care not to move the parking brake lever or pedal too far. The rear brake shoe should move out when the parking brake is set, and move back when the parking brake is released.
Why are my drum brakes not retracting properly?
There are two return springs connecting the front and rear brake shoes, and if either of these is broken or weakened, the shoes will not retract properly and they will drag on the drum. Hold the adjuster lever off of the adjuster wheel and turn the wheel back and forth.
Can a out of round drum cause rear wheel lockup?
Brake drum condition should be factored in when determining the cause of rear wheel lockup. An out of round brake drum or drums that vary in diameter too much from side to side could cause a one wheel lockup condition (Figure 61.8). Measuring drum runout or out of roundness is not easy in the field.
What causes rear wheel to lock up when braking?
Problem: One or both rear wheels lockup during braking or the rear end of the car squats when braking. Cause: Rear Wheel lockup or squatting has many causes. Here is the list of possible causes: Service and parking brake adjustment. Rear brake hardware. Shoe lands or bosses. GM clip in wheel cylinders. Brake drum condition.