Jim Saraceno Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Well it's getting to the point where every time I take my '35 out, something goes wrong. This time, as I was pulling off to the side of the road to let a tailgater by, one of the brakes locked up for a split second. After that, I had to pump the brakes to get them to engage. I drove the 50 miles back without losing any more braking power and I see no signs of leaks. It acts like the brake adjustment is way out of wack. Any thoughts on what might have happened? Quote
PatS.... Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Sounds like a spring failed and the lining/shoe is now "floating" in the drum, and the broken spring is in there loose as well. Quote
TodFitch Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Sounds like you will have to pull the drums for a look. I recall someone on this board (Norm's Coupe perhaps) mentioning a brake shoe lining failing with similar symptoms. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Sounds like you will have to pull the drums for a look. I recall someone on this board (Norm's Coupe perhaps) mentioning a brake shoe lining failing with similar symptoms. That was me alright. The right rear brake lining fell apart because of age as I was just putting on the brake. Locked up and threw the coupe into a fishtail and almost caused an accident. I was able to drive the car home like Jim did though by slowing way down before hitting the brakes. That's why I always tell people not to use NOS brake linings. Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted October 19, 2008 Author Report Posted October 19, 2008 Thanks for the good info guys (as always). I'm thinking that maybe it's time to open all the drums and inspect all the linings and hardware. Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Norm, your age or the lining's? Did not know you could build up that much momentum in before the end of the driveway. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Norm, your age or the lining's? Did not know you could build up that much momentum in before the end of the driveway. Frankie, Contrary to what Don Coatney says, the coupe does leave the driveway. Don does not know all. I just don't publicize it each time I go for a drive. Actually, when that happened to me I had rebuilt the brakes not too long before. When I did I looked at the original shoes and the linings looked like they were only worn about 50% or less and had lots of life left. So, I put them back on the car. I didn't know how old they were because they were on the car when I bought it. They must have been old though if they fell apart like that. After that I pulled all four wheels and had all of them relined at the brake shop. A couple of years later or so I put disc brakes on the front. Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Thanx norm just poking fun, I finally got a response out of you after about 20 driveway jabs! What you say makes sense I would'nt use my nos linings either. too old and look better in my display case! Happy motoring! Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 I know this is'nt the norm{sorry}but I have yet to have problems with my brakes in 2 years of short tips, under 75 miles. What telltale signs should I look for other than slamming into something? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 soft pedal that will get firmer with use...the fact that you may have to pump the pedal before use and the ever-so loss of fluid that call for constant refill of the reservoir..pulling from one side..or the actual locking of a single wheel when appling brakes Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 19, 2008 Report Posted October 19, 2008 Not there yet, I'm the second owner, weird, huh? Thought more problems would exist. None of those yet. Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Posted October 28, 2008 Well I must be living right! I've read many horror stories about problems removing rear brake drums. Mine came off with my $65 Ebay drum puller. No problem! Anyway, I know Norm said to be careful to avoid NOS brake shoes because of the type of failure that I just experienced. So just what do you suppose the problem is? Do linings just go bad over time or was the material that those old linings made with brittle? Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted October 28, 2008 Report Posted October 28, 2008 Jim, The old NOS brake pads are sort of like the NOS gaskets. They become dried out and brittle like you mentioned over time. That's not so bad with gaskets, they just shrink and sometimes won't fit, or they'll just leak. If the do fit, there is no friction to break them up. But, the brake shoes have a lot of friction. The friction breaks the shoe pad up and turns it to dust. That would happen on new brake shoes and pads too. Probably the only reason it doesn't is because we use our modern cars everyday and wear them out, before they become that dried out. Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Posted October 28, 2008 Thanks Norm. I'm going to play it safe and pull all my shoes and have them re-lined. Quote
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