Brakes: Rear drums stick after releasing parking brake

[hitbyastick]

Hello,

whenever I release the parking brake and want to back out of the driveway, the brakes stick. Only when I move a few inches forward, will it be completely free. This doesn't happen when I just push the brakes normally. Any thoughts as to what isn't working properly? Drums are clean inside, no leaky cylinders, everything is installed correctly, I think.


Thanks!

[jclary]

It might help to know which vehicle. However, regardless of vehicle, a couple of things come to mind. On backing plates, there are a couple of "locator" points for each shoe. You might want to check for wear grooves that could cause the shoes to catch and not release at those contact points. Another thing is the cables. Perhaps they could use lubrication. You could have someone sit in the car, and operate the handbrake. Check cable movement. If the cables are releasing, you should see them move where they enter the dust covers at each rear backing plate.

As most of our vehicles are famous for "self-lubricating" the entire underside...it could be an unusual situation, but it could be that your emergency cable operating system could use a good oiling.

[hitbyastick]

Oh yes you're right. 62 Lark Hardtop, non-power 4 wheel drums (the small ones).

And believe me I know all about the underside "rust preventative oiling". It took so many attempts to get it to stop leaking fluids!

[BILT4ME]

One thing you didn't mention is if the car sat for a period of time in between, or if it happens EVERY time, even after it has been out and being driven 30 or so miles.

My car sticks a bit after it has sat a month outside with the e-brake on. The moisture from the humidity causes them to surface rust just a bit until the car is moved again.

Otherwise, I totally agree with jclary on this advice.

Maybe the car is mad at you for fixing the self-lubrication feature...........

[karterfred88]

Hello,

whenever I release the parking brake and want to back out of the driveway, the brakes stick. Only when I move a few inches forward, will it be completely free. This doesn't happen when I just push the brakes normally. Any thoughts as to what isn't working properly? Drums are clean inside, no leaky cylinders, everything is installed correctly, I think.


Thanks!

I would pull the emergency cables out as far as you can from the sheath, disconnect them from the front cable and brake shoes. Coat as much of the bare internal cable as possible with graphite spray, pull in and out till they get easy to move. The cable may be rusted inside and slow in releasing tension, or the spring between the lever on the shoe and the cable housing end, may have broken or just got too weak. You can also try putting a stronger return spring at the handbrake "bellcrank" and lube the pivots and clevis pins, they may be binding. Make sure the hand brake lever on the brake shoes is isn't cocking or too tight slowing down its release. Only other thing I can think of is that the brake shoe return springs are weak, or the rear shoes are adjusted too loose, your backing plates are worn at the shoe contacts and binding at ridges on them, and by moving forward it's "kicking" them loose and back into position, the wear on the plates is often overlooked.

[jnormanh]

Hello,

whenever I release the parking brake and want to back out of the driveway, the brakes stick. Only when I move a few inches forward, will it be completely free. This doesn't happen when I just push the brakes normally. Any thoughts as to what isn't working properly? Drums are clean inside, no leaky cylinders, everything is installed correctly, I think.


Thanks!

I'm pretty certain the drum brakes on your car are self-energizing. That means they work better forward than in reverse. A tiny bit of sticking, and they don't release easily in reverse, but do so in forward because the shoes rotate a tiny bit when you apply the brakes in forward.

By all means clean and lube the handbrake mechanism/cables but it may continue to be a problem forever when the car is idle for weeks at a time.

And check that the shoe return springs are in place and not missing/broken.

Or park it with the handbrake off. First gear will hold it on a level garage floor or driveway.

[RadioRoy]

I never park with the E brake on.
I always park in reverse. It has the best overall ratio for holding the car and if you have an overdrive, reverse locks out the freewheeling feature.