Sticking brake

[SailorBob]

I have a brake that just started sticking. It is just on the right side. It comes back up all but about 1 inch. I have to reach down and manually pull it the rest of the way. The brake does engage if I press down the pedal and disengages when i pull it up. If i keep the pedal interlock open. I can use just the left brake and it works fine. I have kept is greased so that is not the problem. Also, the return spring is still in place and looks good. It must be sticking inside of the drum somewhere.

It looks like a pretty big job to open that up and there is not much space next to the fender to work. So, that will probably have to come off too.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be and what I might be facing.

 

[kthompson]

If it has any joints that are exposed I would oil them. Even the spring. Also the spring could be lost it tension at least partly.

 

[California]

It looks like a pretty big job to open that up and there is not much space next to the fender to work. So, that will probably have to come off too.

Took me about an hour. Loosen the fender and rotate it back. Remove the brake enclosure cover and clean the shaft where it goes through the cover.

 

[SailorBob]

Thanks for the help guys. I will try those suggestions.

 

[Kays Supply]

I have had several do that. I have had very good results with PB Blaster. If you follow the linkage to where it goes into the case , you can put Blaster on the shaft that goes inside the brake box. It will take a few trys and work it. Let it set and soak a while, then repeat. It is worth a try before taking it apart.

 

[California]

Mine was way beyond what PB Blaster could fix.

The good ol boy farmer I bought this (American) Yanmar from said it had been stuck for years. "If you need a panic stop, drop the loader bucket!" He was a flatlander. I bought this for my orchard thats all slopes, so that wouldn't do.

I found there is a rubber o-ring on the shaft to keep the brake enclosure watertight when submerged, so I couldn't get any solvent in where it was needed.

After I got it apart and applied solvent from the inner side, the shaft still wouldn't budge. It took some scary heavy pounding with a 2 lb sledge before the shaft began to move, and it stayed tight until it was clear out. I think the 'cement' holding the shaft was a mixture of brake lining dust and 30 year old factory grease that had set up rock hard like rosin.

After it was apart, the shaft and cover cleaned up easily for a nice fit. After rubbing on a near-invisible sheen of grease (this is right next to the brake shoes) and reassembling it, it's good for another 30 years.

 

[Kays Supply]

I have had good results with the PB, not perfect. Been there, done that, like you on some.

 

[SailorBob]

I think I will try the PB Blaster first. If it does not work I can always open it up.

 

[kenmac]

Just to add.. If you have naver taken them apart & cleaned. I would highly advise you to do so.. No telling what you'll find inside that drum/ housing.. I used anti seize on mine.. Never stuck. Just took them apart to see what was inside