rear brak e hanging

[kc_doyle]

We were out for a nice afternoon drive. When I pulled into a gas stop a guy backed out of a stall and I had to come down on the breaks pretty hard to keep from hitting him. When I started to pull to the pumps I felt that the left rear brake was hanging a bit. I had about half mile to get home and when I got it home I could smell it.
whats the next step to release it a bit?

By the way. When I got this Spit, I told Mama that I got it for her. Now anything I spend on it is for her. How about that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[Andrew Mace]

Odds are it will "relax" by itself, but that doesn't mean you should forget about it! I'd check the hose, especially if original to the car, as they can collapse internally and then act kinda like a one-way valve. One way to check this out is to open the bleeder and see if this helps the shoes pull away from the drum (again, if they haven't already).

I'd also just do a thorough check of both rear brakes. It's possible that a wheel cylinder is hanging up a bit as well...or that it's simply time to redo the rear brakes.

 

[kc_doyle]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Thanks, that was kinda my thinking too, but being the first time I've had this happen, I thought I'd run it through the group.

 

[jayhawk]

On old VW's it was somtimes a very simple fix (if you were lucky) to simply back up, brake, and back up. Often they would free themselves with an audible bump. The next step was to check for the original problem.

 

[kc_doyle]

Good plan Jay.. I was just about to go out and see if it was still tight. Always try the easiest things first.

 

[kc_doyle]

I just backed it out of the garage and it had relaxed. I love the easy fixes. Thanks for the input.

 

[Tomster]

We all assume that you will now do a complete brake inspection, right?

 

[kc_doyle]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif The next time it hangs up.