Thread: Series 3 brakes - can not turn wheels - help!

Andrew,

it is relatively simple to get Series brakes wrong. Shoes not installed correctly, fitted left to right, etc. The fact that the snails are missing makes me think there maybe a few other issues.

Rotating the drums (bar between wheel studs) as you apply "off" pressure would be a suggestion. Be careful not to chip the edge of the drum .

good luck

Hi Paul

Will look at each shoe tomorrow morning to see if they are installed incorrectly.

Funny you should mention chipping...the RHF drum has two little chips.

Should I just get new drums?

Cheers

Sounds like the fun has begun already...

Series brakes can drive you to tears sometimes. As mentioned, the fact the adjusters are missing suggests an incorrect setup. Maybe the PO couldn't get them right and packed it in.

I would try to find and fit the missing bits and start the setup from scratch. If the system is bled properly, then a good setup of the brakes should have them working fine.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by 86mud

Hi Paul

Will look at each shoe tomorrow morning to see if they are installed incorrectly.

Funny you should mention chipping...the RHF drum has two little chips.

Should I just get new drums?

Cheers

More often than not , drums are still usable with small chips.

As Gav suggested, get all the bits together and go from there.

Thanks guys

I will get some adjusters during the week and start from scratch.

Cheers

Originally Posted by 86mud

Hi All

First job to fix the brakes. Previous owner had replaced all wheel cylinders and installed new brakes shoes I was told.

I took the RH front wheel off today and then spend 15 minutes trying to remove the drum. I could not turn this by hand.

Once the drum came off, I saw new shoes and new cylinders, but the brake adjusters where missing. The shoes where held in properly by the springs.

So why are the brakes on so hard that the vehicle does not move unless forced hard?

I didn't think not having brakes adjusters would change anything with new brake shoes.

The braking surface on the drum was very smooth with no imperfections.

The vehicle is a 1976 cab chassis.

Thanks for your help

Hello 86Mud,

I have a couple of 76 Long Wheel Base tray back utes. Good to see another owner with the same vintage on the forum.

Yes hello '76swb


Kind Regards
Lionel

I remember reading somewhere that once you get the setup in place, leave or loosen the wheel cylinder bolts a bit and apply the brakes. This will ensure everything is centered. It's still on my list of things to do so I can't comment on its effectiveness.

Regards

Marty

Check the foot pedal return spring and the push rod in to the master cylinder clearance. Just caught me out on my S3