DakotaFrank Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 The 54 Belvedere I am looking at reportedly has a stuck rear brake. How big of a problem could this be? Are the brake shoes easy to loosen/back off? Will I probably/maybe have to pull the drum/hub? Any advice appreciated. Thanks! Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 Tap the drum with a large hammer first to see if it frees up . Sometimes just rusted parts are stuck . 1 Quote
joecoozie Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Jerry Roberts said: Tap the drum with a large hammer first to see if it frees up . Sometimes just rusted parts are stuck . Good advice. You can also spray PB Blaster into the drum while tapping it to help it slide off or free up. You may need a drum puller like this one to get it off https://www.ebay.com/itm/174524725015?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1tk20o2JoSDy7WrnwEY2nGg26&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=174524725015&targetid=4580153136941812&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=437225722&mkgroupid=1224856224320848&rlsatarget=pla-4580153136941812&abcId=9300906&merchantid=51291&msclkid=32d2982988301ee691bafaf05d6a48aa 1 Quote
Sniper Posted July 21, 2022 Report Posted July 21, 2022 I just used this one weekend before last to pull mine. much cheaper https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074QQCTH8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 1 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 22, 2022 Report Posted July 22, 2022 In extreme cases of frozen brakes with a car that has sat for a long time a person pumps the brake pedal the minute they hop in checking for brakes. If there is still brake fluid in the master cylinder the wheel cylinder pistons are pushed out forcing the shoes against the drums. The old corroded wheel cylinders will not push out but not retract...drums then are locked up tight. Only way to retract the shoes barely enough in this case is to rotate the anchor cam bolts...and still the need to hammer moderately on the drum. The worst case scenario....hopefully not in this case. 1 Quote
DakotaFrank Posted July 22, 2022 Author Report Posted July 22, 2022 The brake pedal is on the floor. So I expect a complete brake rebuild will be required. Thanks! Quote
Sniper Posted July 22, 2022 Report Posted July 22, 2022 1 hour ago, DakotaFrank said: The brake pedal is on the floor. So I expect a complete brake rebuild will be required. Thanks! If you are going this route I suggest before you spend some time thinking about where you want to be with this car. Front disc brakes in the future? Now is the time. Planning to swap out the rear axle for something newer, like an Explorer axle, now is the time. The conditions of your current braking system will be very important factors. New drums are not cheap (~$300 each), for that matter the wheel cylinders, shoes (~$80 an axle) and master cylinder (~$150) are not cheap either. Need new brake lines? Inline tube makes them prebent for this car. https://www.inlinetube.com/collections/all/?year=1954&make=plymouth&model=belvedere Quote
DakotaFrank Posted July 22, 2022 Author Report Posted July 22, 2022 Thanks Sniper. I mentioned in my original post that I brought two old Chevy pickups back from the grave. So I know it always involves more things to fix, and more expense than first thought. That’s one of the reasons I am thinking long and hard before I pull the trigger on this car. Quote
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