40 Ford brake problem

I have one brake that is giving me fits. I adjust it using the proper procedures and everything is OK until I step on the brake pedal. Then that wheel (front right) gets really tight and drags. It never relaxes back to how it was adjusted unless I turn all the adjustments back to the loosest position and re-adjust the shoes.

Any ideas on why this is happening?

 

First thought is weak or improperly installed springs. But that is to obvious. Any chance the wheel cylinder is hanging up?

 

rebuild the cylinder, using all the same parts, with some cleaner & maybe some lite sandpaper. Its very very easy & free & takes 2 minutes.

 

Yep a GOOD chance that the W/C is hanging up .Recently had that exact problem.

 

How old are the hoses? I've known of hoses deteriorating internally where the rubber begins to separate inside, and blockages ocur. Some even act as check valves, allowing flow into, but not back out of the w/cylinder, trapping the applied pressure at that wheel.

 

perhaps the drum has been turned to a over size allowing the shoe to fall off the ride/rub spot.Or the shoes are worn thin..

 

I agree with the w/c idea, saw that happen a lot of times.

Had this happen one time with new shoes. The linings were just a little bit wide and caught on the drum when applied then ****ed a little. Dragged after release.

Took the sander and radiused the edge and they worked OK.

 

I would change to rubber hose some times people pinch the hose ,so brake fuild does get on floor and it can damage the hose.While at it change the wc.

 

The best way to check the release of a sticking wheel cylinder is to jack the wheels of the vehicle off the ground, adjust the brakes correctly, apply pressure to the brakes by stepping hard on the pedal, rotate the sticking wheel by hand to determine any wheels dragging. If the wheel drags, crack the bleeder port to determine if there is pressure retained in the wheel cylinder, if there is pressure there will be a little spurt of fluid and then the brakes will release. This will indicate there is an obstruction in the line. If there is no spurt of fluid and the brake does not release then the wheel cylinder is sticking.