I just rebuilt the rear brakes on my son-in-laws jeep and it ran fine for about a month. Today we had snow and he was driving to work in 4wh Hi and the right rear wheel locked up. When they brought it back to me (cheaper than a real mechanic I guess) the driver mentioned the wheel rolls in reverse but not forward. I haven't gotten the wheel off yet, but anyone have any ideas. I had adjusted the parking brake cables etc when did the rebuild.

Thanks

Bitz

 

Sounds like a leaking wheel cylinder. Check the brake fluid level first. Otherwise, you will need to pull the drum off and check whats going on. Could be a number of things really.

 

Something like this happened in my Dodge Dakota. One of the springs fell off for the star adjuster so it was adjusting outwards, thus locking that brake. I wore a set of brand new shoes in under a week . Needless to say, if any brakes were applied it locked up and I slid sideways. Drove it like that for a week until I fixed it and then drove for months after I fixed the problem with completely worn shoes on the right side. Pop off the drum and look at the star adjuster, that is if you an get the drum off. Mine was locked on there and was HOT because of the locked brakes, be careful. My buddy blistered both his hands when he grabbed mine. It was quite funny to watch.

 

that star adjsuter is also noted to be called a self adjuster... but you can offcourse jsut pull the rubber filler cap off the inside of the brake and stick a screw driver in there and try to adjust it in so the pads release from the drum

 

The self adjusters are marked for left and right...make sure they are installed on the proper side of the vehicle.

 

I will check. I replaced all of the adjusters/springs etc. Only thing I didn't replace were the wheel cylinders. I only have to put it in the garage and then let it cool so hopefully, I can can get the drum off.. boy do I like Disc brakes.

Thanks for the input from everyone.

Bitz

 

Oh, I forgot to add that eventually from the brakes rubbing on the drum, the heat finally hairline cracked the drum when it was raining and the water hit the blistering hot brake drum.

 

Once the drum is off check for brake fluid leak from w/Cyl. it happens some times when you put on new shoes and the cyl. pistons(cups) are now in a different position. Check for grease seal leak. An fluid on the shoes could cause binding. Also make sure emergency cables are not frozen or binding and emergency bar is pulled all the way back. If the adjusters were on the wrong side the brakes would get looser as it adjusted. PS Make sure you have the shoes in the right place short shoe towards front longer show towards rear. Good luck

 

Just did a brake job on mine. When I took the rear passenger side drum off I noticed the shoes were worn noticeably more than the other side. There wasn't any fluid leaking from the wheel cylinder.What I did notice is one side of the wheel cylinder was extend further out. It was froze stiff.The wheel cylinder had rust inside the housing.Each time the brakes were applied the wheel cylinder was staying extended and would not retract. By doing this it was constantly keeping pressure applied to the brake shoes.
Something to look at when doing a brake job make sure wheel cylinder moves in and out smooth.