Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I finally got around to inspect the rear brakes.
I always have a problem with the left rear brake locking up
the first time I use the brake.
I thought it was the parking brake sticking[I always use it].
I decided to flush the brake fluid [it had greasy muck in it].
This may explain at times while driving, the brakes seem to be
very weak at times. Then they work great at most times.
I have been told by many here, that it sounds like maybe a
wheel seal was leaking. Today I found out the scoop.
When I took the left rear drum off, I found the shoes
were factory original. [They were marked with a purple marking of some sort].
The shoes have approx 1/8" before hitting the rivets.
But the rear shoe is cracked all the way accross about in the middle
of the shoe. The crack seems to go all the way through and in
a slaint. I took a small grinder and cut a valley accross the shoe
right on the crack. Now it is like there are 2 pads on the rear shoe.
The test drive afterwards was good. The parking brake got some
exercise and still no sticking of left brake.
The brakes feel the same
every time I use them[no more variance in pressure]. I believe it's
fixed. I will be putting new shoes on later this summer. The front
pads look to have been changed not too long ago.
I found no seal leaks. The drums were real smooth. Just the cracked
lining seems to be the culpret. Moisture may still be getting in the
crack and create the lock up again. I'll see tomorrow what happens.
Well, I don't think I've ever heard of this situation before, but
now I have and so have you.
Thanks for all you guys help.
------------------
97 3500 SLT REDext cab duelly p/u 5sp 3:54 2wd 245/75R16
3" straight exhaust stock torque plate slid full foward star wheel tweeked
105,000 miles still with plenty of ZOOM... ZOOM... ZOOM
RON Z
I always have a problem with the left rear brake locking up
the first time I use the brake.
I thought it was the parking brake sticking[I always use it].
I decided to flush the brake fluid [it had greasy muck in it].
This may explain at times while driving, the brakes seem to be
very weak at times. Then they work great at most times.
I have been told by many here, that it sounds like maybe a
wheel seal was leaking. Today I found out the scoop.
When I took the left rear drum off, I found the shoes
were factory original. [They were marked with a purple marking of some sort].
The shoes have approx 1/8" before hitting the rivets.
But the rear shoe is cracked all the way accross about in the middle
of the shoe. The crack seems to go all the way through and in
a slaint. I took a small grinder and cut a valley accross the shoe
right on the crack. Now it is like there are 2 pads on the rear shoe.
The test drive afterwards was good. The parking brake got some
exercise and still no sticking of left brake.
The brakes feel the same
every time I use them[no more variance in pressure]. I believe it's
fixed. I will be putting new shoes on later this summer. The front
pads look to have been changed not too long ago.
I found no seal leaks. The drums were real smooth. Just the cracked
lining seems to be the culpret. Moisture may still be getting in the
crack and create the lock up again. I'll see tomorrow what happens.
Well, I don't think I've ever heard of this situation before, but
now I have and so have you.
Thanks for all you guys help.
------------------
97 3500 SLT REDext cab duelly p/u 5sp 3:54 2wd 245/75R16
3" straight exhaust stock torque plate slid full foward star wheel tweeked
105,000 miles still with plenty of ZOOM... ZOOM... ZOOM
RON Z
