VCCA Home Forums Thread Like Summary - Rear wheel overheating

Today I was driving my 1939 for a longer drive in the countryside. After 45 mins drive I heard a high frequent whistling sound, like a small bird. I stopped the car and felt some smell and I found the rear left side wheel hub was very hot, I could hardly touch it. I waited some minutes to let it cool down. I drove slowly 5 more minutes to my destination.Then I realised the brake pedal was lover than normal, and I had to pump it a couple of times. Then I parked the car for many hours..

On my return in the evening, the brake pedal movement was Ok. No more «bird sound», and no overheating. I stopped the car several times to check the temperature of the wheel. On my last check at home, I found a minor heating again. Something is wrong in there.
I have to check out this and solve it. What is the most likely reason, the wheel bearing overheating or some brake failure?

It could be many things but if I don't use my 39 for an extended period of time the wheel cylinders will start to lock up from moisture contaminated brake fluid. After replacing the wheel cylinders I have been trying to drive it at least every two weeks and it seems to have helped.

I think you will need to remove the wheel and drum and inspect the wheel cylinder. Of course if it is gunked up all of them will need rebuilding.

Dave

It may be a rear wheel brake cylinder sticking , or broken return spring for the shoes.
I cannot see it being a rear wheel bearing issue , as the rear axle bearing is lubricated from the differential oil.

I would place the rear axle on stands with the wheels free to turn, have someone depress the brake pedal, and turn the wheels by hand to see how long it takes to have the brakes release the drum again. If you cannot turn the wheel reasonably quickly, the shoes are not returning to normal position away from the drums.

The brake shoes also have a rubbing block area, that may have worn away, and the shoes are getting stuck on these worn areas.

Problem solved.
Today I removed the brake drum. I found a small brake fluid lekage, but more important, the wheel brake cylinder was stuck in one direction, so all force went to one side. And a little surprisely, it was full of rust.

So the only solution is to change the rear brake cylinders. Lucky I am, I already have a pair of spares.