<VV> re: brake problem 63 vert

[ericmpholz@netzero.net]

Message: 3
From: "Rick Loving" <ral1963@earthlink.net>
To: <virtualvairs@skiblack.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 13:07:21 -0500
Subject: <VV> Brake problems on my 63

I have begun to have some serious issues with my rear brakes on my 63
vert.

I noticed that this Spring when I drove the car the rear brakes would
begin dragging after I used them a few times and would heat up to the
point of causing the brakes to engage. 

In the middle of the summer I transferred out to North Carolina from
Illinois and have been working out here. I had the car hauled out but
have not had a lot of spare time to take care of it. 

When I first got it out here I had the brakes bled and there was a lot
of rust/crud in the lines. The master cylinder had crud in it too. This
was all cleaned out and the lines bled. At first this seemed to solve
the problem but very soon they started heating up and dragging again. I
then had the entire brake system flushed but again the problem came
back.

I ordered new rear wheel cylinders and had a local shop replace them and
completely flush the lines again. The rear wheel cylinder pistons were
pitted and the cylinders were crusted up with rust colored putty. The
brake fluid out of the lines was nice and clear.

That was yesterday, after driving the car today the rear brakes began
heating up again and engaging, I barely made it back to the Hotel and by
the time I got there the passenger rear drum was so hot it was smoking.

What would be the next logical thing to try and fix to solve my dilemma?
Should I order a new brake spring kit and replace the brake springs?

Could they have weakened to the point where they are not pulling the
shoes back open after they are engaged? 

I can drive the car at highway speeds and the cool air keeps the brakes
working fine, but as soon as I get into stop and go traffic, the usage
and lack of cooling air causing them to start heating and drag worse
until the pedal is rock hard and I can feel the engine power being drug
down by the brakes. Once I stop the rear brakes completing engage and I
cannot move the car until they cool down.

I am not a brake person and need advice from someone who is.....


Rick Loving

 

I would look first to the rear brake hoses.  It is possible that the hose(s) have degraded to the point of partial collapse.  If this happened the fluid will be forced to the wheel cylinder under pedal pressure and very slowly release after a great period of time. I have seen this happen on many vehicles.

Eric Holz
A.S.E. parts specialist
63 vert