Suspected Stuck Rear Brakes

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yondermtn
Old School!
Location: IL
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Suspected Stuck Rear Brakes

Post by yondermtn » Sat May 14, 2016 2:13 pm

My 1977 Westy is in an underground parking garage and I can't get it to move. I parked it there 2 weeks ago. It had been stored all winter in another city and I drive it 60 miles home and then to the garage the next day.
Today it won't budge when I try to back out. I don't have much room in front of me to try to break them free going forward.
I suspect the rear/parking brakes are stuck.
Could it be something else?
It was pouring rain the 2 days leading up to going into the warm/dry garage.

Easiest way to get them free?

I'll probably bring a jack there to confirm.
I just had surgery and am supposed to keep my foot elevated, I guess I'm good to do work under the bus with my foot up on a toolbox :drunken:
1977 Westy 2.0FI
1990 Vanagon MV 2.1 Auto

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hambone
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Location: Portland, Ore.
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Re: Suspected Stuck Rear Brakes

Post by hambone » Sat May 14, 2016 3:18 pm

Prob not very stuck after a 60 mile drive. It should break free without tremendous effort.
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Amskeptic
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Re: Suspected Stuck Rear Brakes

Post by Amskeptic » Sun May 15, 2016 7:31 pm

yondermtn wrote: Easiest way to get them free?
Tap all the rear lug nuts a lot. Then snap clutch briefly in reverse with elevated rpms.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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yondermtn
Old School!
Location: IL
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Re: Suspected Stuck Rear Brakes

Post by yondermtn » Wed Jun 01, 2016 8:59 am

I got her rolling again.
It was the right rear shoes stuck. I hit the lugs with a hammer, tried prying the shoe lose thru the inspection hole. It still wouldn't budge. Next I was able to get it backed up about 18 inches, the stuck tire skidded along. That gave me enough room in front of me to do more aggressive rocking and BAM! it broke loose.

Thanks!
1977 Westy 2.0FI
1990 Vanagon MV 2.1 Auto

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Amskeptic
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Re: Suspected Stuck Rear Brakes

Post by Amskeptic » Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:57 am

yondermtn wrote:I got her rolling again.
It was the right rear shoes stuck. I hit the lugs with a hammer, tried prying the shoe lose thru the inspection hole. It still wouldn't budge. Next I was able to get it backed up about 18 inches, the stuck tire skidded along. That gave me enough room in front of me to do more aggressive rocking and BAM! it broke loose.

Thanks!
Here's your penance:

Sand brake shoes
Sand brake drums
Paint & repair (if plug holes are good) or replace backing plates
Replace all rubber plugs
anti-seize hub to drum flange and adjusters

Go forth and sin no more,
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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