My front passenger brake locks up at low speed and have to put in reverse to unstick it. I assume it has had whel bearing grease on it in the past. If I take the shoes off and spray them with break clean and air them off. Then put them on a belt sander I can go about 200 miles and starts sticking again. I assume grease has absorbed into the shoe and even after cleaning the heat brings the grease back out. Thinking about soaking them in Chem-tool carb cleaner then drying them out. Any suggestions?. Might see if local brake supply still line shoes but not sure what material to ask for maybe they will know. Thanks for any suggestions. Here phot before and after I cleaned them.
I don't see anything in the photos that might cause the sticking. Have you checked the return springs and also the area on the backing plate where the shoe rests. Weak springs could be a contributing factor. So is rust or high resistance at the interface. Might try a tiny bit of grease between edge of shoe and backing plate.
On my 31 I had a front brake cable that was rusty and did not operate smoothly. Give it a look and make sure that they are not frayed and that they are greased.
Hello Kray1932, I've read that a brake that is loosely adjusted has to move so far along the actuating cam that spreads the shoes outward, will high center on the cam and not return. In other words, jam on the cam. Who knows? As far as contaminated brake linings go, take a look at a youtube video by Elderlyiron, episode: part 4 abandoned 1966 Chevy Biscayne sitting since 2003. At the 32:40 part of the video you can see how he deals with the linings.
Thanks Harrys31 Coach. I have them adjusted close I had heard about to lose could wedge them. I was think of torching or baking them in a old oven. But after watching the video I will try that way when I take it back apart in a few miles. Without the video I would probably have applied to much heat. Again thanks for the information.
I will check out their website. I went ahead and took the brakes back off. I used a small bottle torch to heat up the pads. I never had bubbles of grease but they smoked and smelt like a car that had a oil leak on a hot manifold. Used carb cleaner and brake clean. After getting them as clean as I could put back together. Went for about 10 mile test drive using the breaks a lot. There was a different feel in stoping and as of now no locking up or sticking staging at low speed ( almost at a stop ). So weather looks bad for the next few days. Will update on results when able to get out and drive . Thanks
After about 300 miles breaks still fell fine and even in the rain did not lock up. Probably going to buy a set and pay core charge. Then next time they act up I will have them on hand and just replace the fronts. Thanks for the advice.
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My front passenger brake locks up at low speed and have to put in reverse to unstick it. I assume it has had whel bearing grease on it in the past. If I take the shoes off and spray them with break clean and air them off. Then put them on a belt sander I can go about 200 miles and starts sticking again. I assume grease has absorbed into the shoe and even after cleaning the heat brings the grease back out. Thinking about soaking them in Chem-tool carb cleaner then drying them out. Any suggestions?. Might see if local brake supply still line shoes but not sure what material to ask for maybe they will know. Thanks for any suggestions. Here phot before and after I cleaned them.
