Brakes question.... tire locking forwards but not backwords?

I looked around the net to see if I could get this question answered, but I can't seem to find anything. I don't know what the deal is, so I thought I'd ask the pros.

My girlfriend's '61 Chrysler has been running fine since we got it. Very good deal, low miles. The only thing wrong was the brakes needed to be bled bad, after that we've been driving it around town. The guy before us had it for about 7 years but never really drove it.

She'll park it, everything is fine. When she goes to start it, she starts to take off slowly, then the front p***enger tire LOCKS up completly. She'll pop it in reverse, and it glides back fine... nothing at all. Drop it in drive, move another 2-5 feet and bam, it locks up again. After a few times, sooner or later it let's up, but I can't figure out what it might be.

When I get some cash I'm going to go ahead and change the wheel cylenders just to be safe... they look dirty but not leaking. I was just thinking perhaps from age they might be sticking when she goes forwards, then loosen up when she reverses? Anyone ever have something like this before?

Thanks!

 

I had a VW Bus that did that because one shoe had the rivits broke free from the metal it would slide and wedge when rolled fwd and would un stick when rolled back.

 

Sounds like something is loose in there - open it up & check it out before it gets worse or locks up when she's doing 60mph!

 

Meanirishmofo hit it right on the head, I bet there's something in there wiggling around. 10 to 1 says you'll find it before you get to the wheel cylinders. Good luck.

 

It sounds like one or both of the cylinders(I think that year still had 2 cylinders per wheel)is frozen in the applied position.Brakes are usually self-energizing in the forward position but not when backing up.After that long a period of time,I wouldn't be surprised if the brake hose has swelled internally and not allowing the fluid to release.

 

Well, I popped the wheel off, and the drum.

Everything looks perfect. I'm totally confused. It's duel cylnder front drum, so that's weird in the first place. Everything looks good. No leaks, no anything. There is some **** under the rubber cap that's on the wheel cylender, but that's the only thing weird.

I got the wheel back on, and it was cool! Went around the block, was good. She left to go to band practice, and it did it again.

 

My guess is:

If everything looks right nothing out of place AND adjusted properly - then wheel cylinder seizing, bad hose or bad return spring.

 

maybe the car doesnt like her since it doesnt do it when you drive it.

 

did you check the wheel bearings ?

 

Does it lock up and stay locked up when it happens?

If so, then what I'm going to describe probably isn't the problem. I've seen this happen on 3 different vehicles, and each had the same solution.

The shoes may have rubbed a groove where they contact the backing plate, and when you/she hits the brakes when parking, the shoes may hang up on the plate and stay engaged. The cure? We added grease to where the shoes were contacting the backing plates and magically the problems disappeared. I don't know if this is the problem you're having, but it'd possibly be worth a try.

 

I'll throw a couple of other ideas

What if the hardware has been mixed up? I had the adjustment spreader on the wrong side so it kept threading in until it got so loose, the small end dropped off and wedged between the drum and backing plate causing it to lock up.

If the short shoe and long shoe were switched, I wonder if this could cause it if one of them was dragging. Its a long shot though.

 

It's a bad brake hose ,plugged hard line and or wheel cyl. sticking.
Check everything from the wheel to the prop.valve(if it has one).Don't just find one thing and go eureka and think you have it.An old system can drive ya nuts with compound problems.If fluid can get out,air can get in and air has moisture in it and moisture is the enemy given time to do it's dirty work.
Safariknut has it right. The brakes are "self energizing" in the forward direction which means as the brakes contact the drum they move and as they move they go off center helping create more apply force.
So when the brake is applied something is not releasing the fluid pressure right away when the pedal is released and is causing the lock up.After it sits a bit the pressure is slowly bleeding off and allowing them to release until the next time they are applied.

 

Sounds like the wheel cylinders are full of crud.

 

Definitely sounds like the shoes aren't releasing all they way. Just went through the same **** with my truck, my advice check the hose, rebuild or replace the wheel cylinder that takes care of any hydraulic issues. Then check the physical operation of the shoes with the drum half on so you can see. Somehtings not allowing them to back off all the way. Lastly check the operation of the shoes with the drum off. BUT be careful not to blow the wheel cylinder apart. Be really really really easy on the pedal. Good luck.

 

Guys, these are Chrysler total contact brakes, two cylinders in each front wheel with a steel line between them. Could be the hose but the first place I'd look is the wheel cyl. with the "****" behind the boot, that cylinder is a leaker. My guess is that one is hanging up. Pull it apart and check it or just rebuild/replace both cyls. in that wheel.

 

ruber flexable brake lines coming apart on inside fluid going one way but not the other see it all the time on older cars moses