Strange Lurching Diagnosis Help

[INHWMW]

The one that won't spin, I'd pull the wheel and then pull the drum next, to have a look-see.

If it's been a while since the brakes were done, it'll probably fight you.

But, if you're overdue on a brake job, that will be something that you'll really want to do anyway.

Will do, I completely replaced the rear drums, pads, springs... a few years ago but it's definitely worth taking a look inside

 

[Guggenheim99]

Check the drum in question for excessive runout. I just battled a very similar problem on my truck (the forum post right below yours) and found out the drums were .024" out, causing it to bind up due to the slack adjuster adjusting the shoes too tight. Although mine were new Ford ones. Yours have been in service for a few years and up until now haven't been causing issues I assume. But worth checking.

 

[INHWMW]

I have the wheel off, but the same thing that's keeping the wheel from spinning isn't letting me get the drum off to see inside. I've been trying to loosen it up with a deadblow to no avail. I might try to get the pressure out of that drum in case there's something keeping the pads stuck against the drum.

 

[RobbieD]

I completely replaced the rear drums, pads, springs... a few years ago but it's definitely worth taking a look inside

I had a kind of a similar problem once, but mine was more of a noise than a rotation hang-up; and, it wasn't too many miles since it had a brake job.

Turns out one of the shoe retraction springs had broken and the broke spring was tumbling around in the drum and occasionally catching on a shoe.

 

[INHWMW]

I could see that being the problem, but I'll have to get this drum off before I can make any conclusions.

 

[Guggenheim99]

I have the wheel off, but the same thing that's keeping the wheel from spinning isn't letting me get the drum off to see inside. I've been trying to loosen it up with a deadblow to no avail. I might try to get the pressure out of that drum in case there's something keeping the pads stuck against the drum.

Either there is a rust ridge formed on the outer lip of the drum, the shoes are adjusted too tight, or it's still seized to the axle flange. I would try to back the shoes off if it's loose from the flange. Hopefully the adjuster is not seized like mine was. There's a little arm you push out of the way and get your screwdriver or brake spoon in there and turn the adjuster wheel.

 

[Rick W]

I think this is all said, but let me say it a slightly different way.

Pull the little rubber/plastic oblong cap out of the inside side of the bottom of the drum, where you access the star wheel,

Using a screwdriver or in adjustment tool, you can then wedge against that opening and turn that star wheel. It should turn easily in one direction and fight you turning in the other direction. You want to turn it in the direction that fights you. You don’t need a crowbar, but it will take some force on the screwdriver and you have to have it pushed in solid.

If your drums are worn, there may be a lip on top of the inside of the “soup bowl” if you envision the drum being a soup bowl. If the Brakes have been pushing out too hard, that lip might be substantial. You may need to turn that star wheel two or three complete revolutions (20 or 30 “cranks“) before the drum will slide off.

As you’re doing that, use the dead blow hammer, but only rotate the drum in the direction that would be reverse. The brakes are designed to grab harder going forward than they do in reverse. If you do a few turns on that star wheel, and you kind of pop it loose with the dead blow hammer, spinning it in reverse, it should come off. If you ruin the little star wheel, they are cheap, and I don’t know how you’d get to it any other way.

A word of caution when you’re pulling on the drum. It will stick stick stick, and may all of a sudden seem to fly off. Be careful of your knuckles and your lips and your nose when you’re tugging on it. It may break free all at once and move with very little effort. Guess how I know that?

And you mentioned taking the pressure off the brake drums. The big black round rubber thing is the tire, and you can let the pressure off of that. But the brake drums are cast-iron, and I never saw a bleeder valve for the brake drums themselves.

You may wish to ignore that last paragraph. As always, my two cents, hope it helps.

 

[INHWMW]

I was going to look into the star wheel thing this morning, and this detailed explanation was very helpful. Wonderfully clear. I'm gonna go give it a shot, will update.

 

[Rick W]

You are quite welcome, my son.

Isn’t it refreshing when a younger member recognizes the wisdom and soft touch and helping hand of a senior member?

 

[Uncle Gump]

When trying to turn the star wheel to loosen the drum adjustment... I wouldn't just force my way through it with more pressure on the adjusting tool. You will likely bend the adjusting lever for the brakes... or chip the teeth on the star wheel.

Insert a small pocket screwdriver in the hole with you adjusting tool. Use that small screwdriver to psh the lever away so the adjusting lever doesn't engage with the star wheel. You will feel a little spring tension when you push on the lever... and the star wheel will turn freely and you won't damage anything.

 

[RobbieD]

I've used screwdrivers many a time on the star wheel, but a real brake spoon tool will work the best.

 

[Rick W]

When trying to turn the star wheel to loosen the drum adjustment... I wouldn't just force my way through it with more pressure on the adjusting tool. You will likely bend the adjusting lever for the brakes... or chip the teeth on the star wheel.

Insert a small pocket screwdriver in the hole with you adjusting tool. Use that small screwdriver to psh the lever away so the adjusting lever doesn't engage with the star wheel. You will feel a little spring tension when you push on the lever... and the star wheel will turn freely and you won't damage anything.

Absolutely the correct method. Usually my ham hock hands and railroad tie fingers won’t all fit in there, hence my crude interpretation…..

 

[Uncle Gump]

All good Rick...

 

[INHWMW]

Well I've been turning that little star wheel, might've snapped a few teeth off it, and the drum has only gotten tighter. before there was a little wiggle in it, now there's none haha. And both directions of rotation have pretty equal levels of resistance. Hard to tell which direction is the correct one.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You want to get under the wheel and pry the tip of the adjusting tool up.