Think I got some oil in my drum brakes

[bluebombersfan]

It seems no matter how much I tighten them they dont have much braking resistance. I tightened to the point were I cant even remove the drum off and put the e-brake all the way down and I can still turn my tires.
Is this a sure sign I got oil in them?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Loosen em back up, and take the drums off.

 

[bluebombersfan]

Take them off then what? Spray the pads down with brake cleaner?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Look and see if there is oil in there. Or brake fluid.

If the wheel cylinder is leaking change it the put new shoes and drums on it.

If the axle seal is leaking change it and put new shoes and drums on it.

Either way your getting new rear brakes if something is leaking. The fluids ruin the shoes.
And the drums may seem fine but when the metal gets hot is soaks up the fluid, then when the get hot again the oil comes to the surface. which will ruin new shoes.

If it's just one side, do em both don't half *ss it.

The wheel cylinders are easy to change, disassemble the brakes, unbolt the line and two bolts in the backing plate. Reassemble with new brakes and bleed brakes.

The axle seal is easy too, but much more involved.
Disassemble the brakes, remove the diff cover, remove diff center pin, push axles in, remove c-clips, pull axles out, remove seals. Install new seals and reassemble with new brakes, refill diff oil.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Usually oil on the shoes will make the rear brakes very grabby.

Are the rear brakes actually working? Do you have fluid at the wheel cylinders when bleeding the brakes? If not you could very well have a plugged up RABS valve.

 

[bluebombersfan]

I got a leaking axle seal when I changed the axle shaft but caught it right away and put a new axle seal. I think I might of only got a few drops but I gues thats all it takes.
sask Ryda you say oil would make the brakes grabby? I would think oil should do the opposite otherewise grabby brakes would mean better braking.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've seen it many times where it will actually cause the wheel to lock up.

Do you have fluid at the rear wheel cylinders?

 

[atvkid4eva]

when my rear wheel cylinder blew out it drenched the rear shoes in brake fluid...this resulted in the brakes being VERY grabby to the point where it would lock the rear end up every now and then when the brakes were applied..i replaced the shoes and everything went back to normal...so i think ur problem may be elsewhere.

 

[bluebombersfan]

Well my braking seems good the main problem is my ebrake doesn't work very well on the side I think the oil leak was. I have to jam my ebrake all the way to the ground for that tire to lock up. I tried adjusting the drum brake really tight and same thing never really locks up. I just assumed that maybe some oil got into the brakes which keeps them from working.
But on the road my braking seems good but I figured since most breaking is on the front no braking on one rear tire wouldn't be noticable anyways. Thats just what I think.

 

[97ranger xlt]

But on the road my braking seems good but I figured since most breaking is on the front no braking on one rear tire wouldn't be noticable anyways. Thats just what I think.

agree it is very difficult to really know if the rears are working under normal driving conditions. my rears lock up / grab after every rain. usually clears with a couple of brake applications in forward and/or sharp reverse breaking when you can actually hear the adjusters working.

are your lines all good?

 

[SMTGREG]

You need to inspect the E Brake cables for damage from rubbing on brackets ect. The cable for that side could be seized. I have replaces many cables here in the (rust belt) of Wisconsin.