VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Brakes locking up

Good one... Yes, there is a place locally that does that. And I just ordered NEW shoes yesterday. So I'll look into getting them done. Thanks for the suggestion.
---Bill

Followed this thread from the beginning as I had the same problem with my '31. Put in new brake linings 5 yrs ago while getting it ready for the road. Brakes worked great for the first 3 yrs and then last year they started to lock up bad just before I put it away for the winter. Took it out of storage last month and as I was driving it to the garage I noticed it was the left rear one locking up the worst. Then one more month of snow. Sunday I took it out and put 10 miles on it and rode the brakes to see if that would help. Problem solved. Now I have to readjust the left rear brake and I think I'll be OK.

I one had an issue on my 36 with the Master cylinder. One of the 2 holes (compensator hole),from the master cylinder Reservoir to the piston was clogged. The pressure in the system was not releaseing and after driving a short while the brakes would lock. After a littel while they would then release.

UPDATE: I installed new brake shoes on all four wheels. During testing, I removed my hands from the steering wheel and jammed on the brakes. The car stopped in a straight line with an even force. SUCCESS!!!

Apparently one shoe on the right front previously had brake fluid which leaked on to it. That was causing the grabbing.

Next step. Drive a hundred miles, then remove the drums again and see how "even" the shoes are wearing against the drums.

Thanks for everyones comments and suggestions.

You will find after 100 miles there will be next to NO wear on the linings unless you drive 99 of the miles with a foot on the brake and one on the gas.
It takes perhaps 2000 miles or more to begin to have the linings wear in enough to make full contact with the drum.

Gene is right, at 100 miles there wont be any noticeable wear but there will be witness marks on the linings of contact with the drum which will give an indication of correct lining to drum radius.
Tony

The best way to do it is take the drums down to get turned and have the shoes arced to them. That way you start out with full surface contact. If you can find someone who knows how to do it any more...

'Glad you got it going your way. Brakes are so simple. They should be easy to fix and always the same. Trouble is, too many times they can drive us a bit crazy.

Having the linings matched to the drums is a very good idea.

You don't have to get the drums turned (unless needed) to have the shoes/linings matched to the drums. All you need is to find someone that still has the machine to do it ( and is willing to do it), take the shoes/linings and drums to 'em and pay your money. Gives much better lining-to-drum contact and, as a result, a much better brake to start with. Hard to find those little machines these days.