sticky drum brakes

Topic: sticky drum brakes (Read 1216 times) previous topic - next topic

sticky drum brakes

January 29, 2008, 08:28:41 PM

Not that I'm looking to redo my brakes, since I will be swapping an 8.8 in around spring. But I'm just curious if any other fox owners experience this.

When its extremely cold, my brakes are perfect.

When its extremely hot, my brakes are perfect.

When its extremely slippery, my tires never lock.

If it has rained for more than 30 minutes, my rear tires lock up like there is no tomorrow.

For example, when I pull out of my space at school... I roll up to a 3 way intersection and touch the brakes to slow my roll (not that I'm going faster than 15 anyway) and the rear tires lock up like they would on the freeway if you slammed the brakes.

after sitting in a line of stop and go traffic for 10 mins trying to get out of school, they loosen up and are safe to drive on.

whats going on back there? lol

The only thing i can think of is maybe the springs slip around?

again I'm not looking to do a brake job, I was just curious if anyone else experienced this.

sticky drum brakes

Reply #1 – January 29, 2008, 08:51:50 PM

once you make that initial stop and your tires lock, does the problem go away? if thats all it is it might just be a little rust on the drums and poor quality shoes. but even then i wouldnt think they'd 'lock'.
if they keep locking a couple stops in a row it might be more serious.
its odd how you said that this problem doesnt occur even when slippery. thats why i think its a rust related thing and not like a prop valve, or that should be happening all the time.

sticky drum brakes

Reply #2 – January 29, 2008, 10:59:22 PM

ive put 6000 miles on the brakes since it was parked back in august, so maybe your saying rust in the springs?

it has new pistons and stainless lines from the doors back.

And by lock, they lock lol.

In a fashion where I'm afraid the guy behind me thinks I'm brake checking him.

it does it a few times in a row, but when i finally get out of the lot they get full pedal.

the last time this happened was when i first started driving it, i would pull out of my driveway and hit 25, then if my foot tapped the brake pedal the right rear would bark.

Maybe if I pump the e-brake a few times it will loosen up before I drive? hmmm

but after those first couple times it never happens.

sticky drum brakes

Reply #3 – January 31, 2008, 10:41:51 AM

check for brake fluid contanimation on the shoes. if you replaced a wheel cylinder in the past and not the shoes the fluid can soak into the shoes. or you may have a leaky wheel cyl. my truck does this until the brakes get a little heat in them. i need to change the shoes but i drive the truck so little now i just ride the brakes down my street and then all is fine.

sticky drum brakes

Reply #4 – January 31, 2008, 10:59:37 AM

try this. put both rear tires in the air, take the rear tires off and then the drums off (just the outer drums which are bolted sequential with the rims) and inspect the shoes. if you see excessive rust or contamination, change them, otherwise just blow them off if its minor contamination like a lil bit of rust etc. if you dont have access to air aka tank n gun, go to a computer store like staples, etc and get the keyboard compressed air and as long as you hold the can upright only air comes out. before you do ANY of that tho, try putting it in reverse and go backwards 10 times, each time hitting the brakes to come to a stop. if they still lock after that its time to get your hands dirty. btw, drum shoes are really inexpensive.