Any tips on freeing up stuck rear brakes
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Bidwell, Ohio
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any tips on freeing up stuck rear brakes
I am working on an 84 bluebird bus that has been sitting for a few years and the shoes are stuck to the drums. It is air brakes. Any advice?
#4
Administrator / Free Time Specialist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 7,707
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
8 Posts
I've always been able to pop the shoe with a hammer and break them loose but it's been after a short time being parked. You may be able to pry on the shoe backing plate with a bar set against the drum lip. Make sure you have the wheels chocked first since you have to work on them with the parking brake released and the bus could roll if you're successful.
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fremont, OH/Newport News, VA
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with all them. Release the brakes and beat on em. I always smack the drum first, so I' dont mess the shoes up. But if that doesn't work, you have no choice but to smack on the shoes. If they are really stuck, i'll back the brakes off a little bit, too, that seems to help. So far, I have never broke a drum, or shoes. I'll spray em down a little bit too and let it sit, if they are really stuck bad.
#6
Administrator ........ DTR's puttin fires out and workin on big trucks admin
Some times you can strike the shoe and get them to release. It depends on how long it has been sitting and if the shoes were wet from rain or snow when it was parked. I have had to air hammer shoe's to get them to free up destroying them and the drums in the process. If the bus has been sitting for a few years then I would plan on doing a brake job also.
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Bidwell, Ohio
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No big deal if I damage the drums. I just need to drive it about one mile home, then part it out. I just want it for the engine. Thanks for the advice
Trending Topics
#9
Registered User
Heat might help. It doesn't take much to warm up a drum. In winter when I run local, I will carry a small torch that screws onto a coleman propane bottle. Lean it against the tire with the flame on the bottom of the drum. I have yet to have one that didn't pop loose by the time I finished my walk-around.
I freed brakes on a trailer this spring, Blaster would have helped, it took a lot of beating to get them loose, but I didn't get the free. Back off the slack adjuster, if it will turn.
I freed brakes on a trailer this spring, Blaster would have helped, it took a lot of beating to get them loose, but I didn't get the free. Back off the slack adjuster, if it will turn.
#10
#11
DTR's Locomotive Superhero and the DTR Sweet Tea Specialist
I've always broken them loose with either a sledge or a bar. Smack the drums a few times and if that doesn't work pry on the shoes a little. You could use a combination of the two also, beat and pry. Like others said, block the wheels first.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ajg617
2nd Gen. Dodge Ram - No Drivetrain
14
05-08-2007 10:14 AM
MOAGGIE
2nd Gen. Dodge Ram - No Drivetrain
5
09-03-2006 07:25 PM