<VV> Brakes grabbing

[Frank DuVal]

Do the brakes grab in service?

Most drum brakes I have worked on over the years (on many different 
types of cars) had this slight drag at different points when the brake 
shoes were adjusted correctly. If there is no drag, usually the pedal is 
low. And usually the drag is not consistent when turning the drum by 
hand. What you describe sounds like normal operation. Others will weigh 
in with a different opinion. If anything, I would just loosen the rear 
passenger star wheel by one tooth. But of course as long as the self 
adjusters are working, they will readjust to the tightness they like.

You can check for out of round on the drums, but if the pedal isn't 
pulsating, don't go looking for trouble.

Now if the brakes grab in service, then look for a problem.

Frank DuVal

Stephen Upham wrote:

>I put the Monza up in the air to work on a couple of items.  The  
>major item is the brake problem.  The history on the brakes is: all  
>of the shoes have about 5 thousand miles on them except for the front  
>drivers that was replaced about 500 miles ago due to a leaking wheel  
>cylinder that was messed up by a rookie mechanic (that would be me -  
>I now know not to apply the brakes before reinstalling the drums).   
>Except for the master cylinder conversion, turning of the drums, the  
>overhaul of all but the driver's side wheel cylinder and installation  
>of the rear shoes, all of the work has been done by me.  The other  
>work was done by a club member.  All of the wheel cylinders have been  
>overhauled, and as far as I know at this moment, are not leaking (I  
>may learn different when I take off the drums, but I really don't  
>suspect this as the cause).  The drums were turned (on advise before  
>I knew better).  The master has been changed to a dual cylinder and  
>yes, it was bench bled.  There has been no loss of fluid from the  
>reservoir.  The fluid was bled and changed to DOT 4 about 500 miles  
>ago.  All of the hoses have been replaced 5000 miles ago in front,  
>and 500 miles ago in the rear.  The symptoms are : The rear drivers  
>wheel rolls free from 9-3 o'clock as observed on the valve stem and  
>has drag from 3-9, the rear passenger is free from 6-11 and drags  
>hard from 11-6, the front drivers is free from 7-12 and drags very  
>slightly from 12-7, and the front passenger is free from 7-11 and  
>drags slightly from 11-7.  I haven't removed the tires and drums  
>yet.  What could be the cause and what should I be looking for when I  
>remove the drums?
>
>Stephen Upham
>Dallas, Texas
>President / North Texas Corvair Association
>CORSA
>Corvaireum II
>
>Mid prod. #18732 -1965 Monza Hardtop 110
>
>The Original Four Door Sports Car
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