The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts problem w/2t on rear end.

Well here goes... I have a 1954 Chevy 6500 with a two speed rear. Went to move the truck and it felt like the brakes were on. Not. However, all wheels turned. When you took your foot off the accelerator pedal the truck would immediately stop from the heavy drag. With the front wheels off the ground both wheels turned freely. Lifted the rear axle so that both sets of wheels (right and left) were off the ground. Supported rear axle with stands. Started the truck, put the truck into gear, the right rear wheels turned freely but the left side did not. Accelerating the left side would barely turn,way less than a quarter turn with every acceleration attempt. Removed the left brake drum revealing good brake shoes. All the brake components looked good. With the brake drum still off, started the truck, in gear both sides turned. Put the drum back on and the left side now it would not turn. Didn't see any signs of seals leaking. Have not taken the rear cover off the pumpkin to give a look. it started raining, actually a heavy storm. This is my first time attempting this type of repair. Any ideas? I could not find a forum thread on this subject. thanks. Fred

Hy fredico, did the left rear drum remove and install easily?

Check the e-brake on the driveshaft. They can rust, drag or bind,
Scott

I don't think you will see anything but dirty oil by removing the back cover. It has to be something in the brakes. Make sure the return springs are intact. It could be that your wheel cylinder is not retracting when you let off the brakes. Do you have a little free peddle on the master cylinder. When you took the drum off and replaced it, did you step on the brakes before you tried it again? If not, there is a possibility you have a warped drum.

3B - the left rear brake drum slid off w/only a little persuasion. i turned both adjuster stars to maximize clearance between shoe and drum. the star moved w/o much effort (a little "KROIL" helped) and you could see the shoe move with each turning of the star.

48 big trucks - initially i checked and made sure the e-brake was free and not holding.

crenwelge - the brake hardware looks really good. i would say that all the hardware had been replaced not to long ago by the PO. shoes looked relatively new. i did not step on the brake pedal w/the drum off. thought about stepping on the brakes but hesitated thinking i might extend the brake cylinder beyond its limits.

when we first bought the truck last fall, the truck free wheeled w/o drag. each driving thereafter no drag until this past week. trying to get it ready for a show yesterday ("Thunder Cruz-in").

One item i failed to mention, when i went to move the truck and although it seemed like the brakes were on, i persisted w/accelerating and heard a noise as the truck started to move. i thought it to be a stuck brake shoe releasing.

Since i have never worked on gears but have replaced outside axle seals, i am clueless. thought crossed my mind that it could be axle or a component that keeps the axle true. I don't know.

Did you pull the axle shaft when you removed the brake drum? If so were the splines on the end towards pumpkin damaged? My 54 you don't need to pull the axle to remove the brake drum. The 38 you have to pull axle shaft to remove brake drum. If your 54 is like mine you won't have to pull the tires and brake drum. just remove the hub cover and pull the axle out.

Probably just a rusted shoe or e-brake pad. Take it for a short drive to verify all is working properly and to shine the drums up again,
Scott

make sure that the wheel cylinder pistons are free, sounds like one is stuck on.....

Hy guys, I think if the drum came off and went on easily, and you increased the clearance between the shoes and drums, and still had a problem, I would check the bearings in the hub next.

Hi there,
Just a couple of thoughts,
If the wheel is locking, particularly in the forward direction and not in the reverse, take a good close look at the top of the lining on the primary shoe, and the bottom of the lining on the secondary shoe. You could just have a lining that has come loose from the web, be it loose rivets or a bonded lining that is losing its bond. Give the linings a good solid push with your fingers as though you were peeling them off. If they are loose, it should show. If one comes off, then better now than on the road. Poor bonding and loosely riveted linings will cause this condition. I have had it happen on my own truck and many customers as well.
Hope it helps.

was this ever resolved and what was the actuual problem.