brake rubbing

[nevets]

I noticed that my left front wheel felt hot after a drive (none of the others where hot) so I jacked up the car and when spinning the wheel, felt the brake shoe rubbing in spots. I was unable to adjust it so the wheel would spin freely, even with both adjustment nuts fully backed off. In fact there was less rubbing with one of the adjustment nuts tightened few notches. I am guessing that the drum is not concentric with the axis of roatation, or maybe the adjustment mechansim is not working properly, or a combination of factors. My next step is to pull off the drum to have a look. As always suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[HealeyRick]

Could be your brake cylinders are sticking. If this is a recent brake job, you may need to find a shop that still has a brake grinding machine that can "arc" the shoes to the drums: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317327&page=3

 

[HealeyRick]

Also, if your brake hoses haven't been changed in a while, they can deteriorate internally while looking ok from the outside. This can cause the fluid not to withdraw when the pedal is released, causing the brakes to stick.

 

[TimK]

I have had a lot of problems like this with calipers. I suspect the brake cylinders or the hoses. If they are old, replace them.

 

[nevets]

Interesting. I would not have considered the hydraulics. I'm glad I asked. I will investigate the hoses and wheel cylinders. My experience with brake hydraulics is that replacing one part of the system, like a wheel cylinder, leads to problems with the older components. Maybe a complete over haul is in order? Is Apple Hydraulics the best resource for reconditioning wheel cylinders, master cylinder? What about having the drums turned round? Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Rob Glasgow]

I don't want to steal this topic, but does anyone have experience with stainless steel braided brake hoses? Are they and improvement over the original rubber style? What is a good source?

 

[Randy Forbes]

Goodrich (UK?) makes some to fit Healeys, and I've used them on plenty of BMWs.

They certainly solve the issue of the rubber swelling shut (keeping the brakes applied), just be mindful of their routing, taking full bump/full droop and turning range into consideration.