The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Rear wheels wont turn

Project just starting.

The truck is almost impossible to move even when it is out of gear, well at least we think its out of gear. It doesnt seem like the parking break is on and the brake lines are missing, so i wouldnt think they would be locked down. If you jack up the rear end and try to turn one wheel manually you can't get it to budge. Any ideas. Also, does anyone know what weight of oil to use in the rear end? It is a 1950 3600.

Thanks

Brake shoe is rusted to the drum. Take the tire off, and tap around the outer edge of the drum to see if it will free it up. Make sure you block the truck up while you do this.

That plus use any good 90wt. gear lube or 75 to 120

I would bet it's the brakes as Roy said,you could try adjuster and try adjusting them in.

Pete

ill try adjusting them. i had taken them off a few weeks ago too see what the brake shoes were like, and they were in good shape. Ill see if they are too tight.

Make sure to use a single grade 90W gear oil.

Are both wheels locked-up with both wheels off the ground??

What happens when you remove drain plug from axle???

Any water or rust colored oil???

A good way to remember which way to tighten most brake shoes:
if you bang your knuckles on the spring while holding the brake spoon, you are going the correct way.

With Both tires off the ground and the truck out of gear it wont turn by hand. the truck will roll, but i had to use a come-along even with four inflated tires... It could be that its actually still in gear when i pull it out i guess... it is a 4 speed.

when you were moving it with the come along did you have the hood up to see if the engine was turning?
take the spark plugs out, try to turn the engine, if it's in gear you won't be able to, but it should roll easier

Bill

Ill raise the hood and winch it today and see if the engine is turning.

Take the brake drums back off again and bolt the wheels on without them. If it moves it's brakes, if not it's in the driveline.

Coilover

Yep i had one break that was locked up. Now it is fixed. Next problem is i dont know if its going in gear because im trying to turn the motor over by leaving it in gear and winching it forward, but the motor doesnt turn over. I have pulled the oil pan and the cylinder walls, cam, crank, all look fantastic. I have put some mistery oil on top of the cylinders per someone else on this boards recommendation, but still wont turn over. Cant get it to turn over by turning the bottom pulley either...

Still could be some surface rust on the top side of the cylinders that you can't see.

Did you remove the drum when you inspected the brake shoes? I missed something here.
If you haven't already, pull the spark plugs and then check to see if the engine will turn... in case there is a stuck valve issue.
Are you going to rebuild the engine?
Jerry

Take the sheet metal cover off the bottom of the bellhousing, and use a pry bar on the starter gear teeth to try to turn the engine. I like to use the straight end of a carpenter's wrecking bar wedged against the bellhousing and engaged into the flywheel teeth. Just be careful not to break any teeth off the flywheel gear. Work the flywheel back and forth a few teeth at a time until you can get a full turn.
Jerry

Thanks Hotrod. I will try turning the flywheel this evening.

Motor turns over! Thanks for your help. Does anyone know how to remove the timing gear cover. I cant seem to figure out how to remove the pulley in front of it and it is blocking two of the bolts that hold it on.

What gear do you put it in when you try to winch the truck in gear? Try a high gear.