C1 rear RH brake locks up

[Chris H.]

I put new brake pads, cleaned up the drums, new springs, rebuilt wheel cylinders on my 62. Adjusted per Service manual best I could. 12 notchs looser than slight rubbing.

Problem is my rt rear locks up under moderate braking which causes my back end to swerve to the left. Not fun the first time it happened!! I backed off the rt rear another 6 notchs and it still does the same.

I jacked the whole car up and had the brake pedal pushed partway so that the wheels almost locked up. Everything seems to be about the same friction.

I can loosen it some more but wondering if I have something wrong. Is the long shoe the leading shoe and supposed to be toward the front? Because they all seem to be working "statically" up in the air it must be something more dynamic?

thanks, Chris

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Chris--
Two things--when you say it makes your back end swerve to the left, does that mean the front goes to the right? My experience is that when it locks up, the whole car goes the direction of the locked wheel.
Secondly, unless I'm starting to lose it (and that's very possible) I recall the the primary (front shoe of the two on any of the four corners of the car) is the short shoe rather than the long one.
Regards,
Mike

[Rob Dame]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Mike is right short shoe is on the front. When you adjust the brakes try adjusting them untill the wheel stops turning then back them all off seven notches. Works for my old heap. Rob

[Chris H.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Thanks Mike.

The front seems to be going to the right and the rear to the left. I can hear the rt rear rubber squeal and see the black rubber on the road on the rh side.

I do have the shorter shoe on the front side on the rh rear. I will check the front tomorrow.

Chris

[Chris H.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Sort of what I did except 12 notchs. something is locking up the wheel. It comes on fast.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

You could have blockage in the L rear brake line

[Bill Jackson]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Did you examine the backing plate to see if the shoe conctact pads are smooth. They could be grooved from years of wear and no lube. Can be welded and ground or replaced.

[Chris H.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

No blockage, just a very leaky cylinder! brake fluid all over the lh rr drum and shoes. The LH rr never had any stopping power and all the pressure went to the rt rr and caused it to lock up. Will send it out to be sleeved.

thanks, Chris

[Gary S.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Aren't these brake cylinders very easy to rebuild? Unless yours is scored or pitted, why do you need to have it resleeved? I have rebuilt the cylinders (non-Corvette but GM) before and they are a piece of cake and take only minutes.

Gary

[John O.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Hi Chris

You say the left wheel cyl. is leaking? Ok, go buy a wheel cylinder honing tool. There not much.It goes in your drill.And a wheel cylinder rebuild kit.Hone and rebuild the wheel cylinder.Put a dab of lube on the flat spots on the back plate. Install your brake shoes.Make sure you have the shoes on the right way.Bleed the brakes. Double check the right side so that the shoes are moving ok. Your problem should be solved.Also while your at it, check your front brakes for proper adjustment.That right there will make your car pull to one side if out of adjustment.

Good Luck....John

[Chris H.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

John, exactly what I did. BUT, I know I should of had the cylinder sleeved but did not do it. My stupid mistake. Thought the pits were in far enough to not matter but must not have been.

Chris

[John O.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Hi Chris

If all that stuff was done and it's down to the wheel cylinder, I would just go buy a replacement one and try it. Keep the original for later on as a spare, even if you get it resleeved.

John

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Chris:
Did you have the drums turned? I had a similar problem on a '56 Chevy and solved it by having the drums turned. Must have been a high spot that grabbed. Just a thought.
Jeff

[Chris H.]

Re: C1 rear RH brake locks up

Thanks, preety sure issue is that the LH rr cylinder was leaking bad. Fluid everywhere.

Chris