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| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 50 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 50 | The parking brake on my 1949 3100 is stuck and won’t release.I can’t get the drum off so any tips would be welcome as well once I can access the brakes any suggestions for a fix would also be appreciated. Thanks
1949 3100
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,879 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,879 | Start banging on the drum with a blunt force hammer - HARD.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,458 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,458 | A little heat on the drum near the studs might help.
BC
1960 Chevy C10 driver 261 T5 4.10 dana 44 power loc
1949 GMC 250 project in waiting
1960 C60 pasture art
Retired GM dealer tech. 1980 - 2022
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 261 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 261 | Have attempted to rock the truck back and forth? I’ve had the case where the emergency brake released but the brake was frozen and doing what I suggested released the brake shoe. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 50 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 50 | Thanks for the great suggestions…have tried all three 
1949 3100
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,099 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,099 | It's also possible that the cables are rusted up and or frozen. Try some WD40 or other product
on the cables and the contact points on the mechanism. Loosen or disconnect the cable to see if
that is the problem.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 261 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 261 | I assumed you’ve already back off the shoe adjuster all the way? Spray WD 40 or Rust Buster into the brake shoe adjuster?
At this point you’ve got not much to loose
Let me add my last thought and if you’ve already do this ignore me:
You have Huck brakes?
Have you disconnected the parking brake cable at the cable support just aft of the parking brake cross tube? If not when you do does the coaxial cable move in the outer sleeve? Pour rustbuster into the outer sleeve and try to get free play. It may take a few attempts. If the coax cable moves freely then you may have to take more aggressive actions like a) release the wheel brake cylinder and see.
When we first started working on our 1948 3100 our left rear brake was twisted and broken the right one just frozen.
Best of luck!
Last edited by TexasA&M48Truck; 10/07/2026 10:09 PM. Reason: Added
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 50 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 50 | Actually I haven't tried those last two suggestions...THANKS!
1949 3100
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,290 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,290 | Its a fairly thick and stiff cable. Hit the end of it with a hammer after you let the rustbuster stuff soak for a day or two.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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