Why are the brakes locking on the more you use them.

Tiny
STINKIKI666
  • MEMBER
  • 1963 MERCURY COMET
  • 12,000 MILES
Have replaced all of the brake parts over the last year on the comet and we will adjust them and then the more you use the brakes the more they get stuck on. Mostly on the front but they have done it on the rear too. Any ideas what could be causing this
Friday, October 21st, 2011 AT 7:13 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
If you have to physically back off the adjusters, shoes are installed correctly. The shorter lining always goes toward the front of the car and the longer one goes toward the rear.

Next time a brake locks up, open the bleeder screw at that wheel or crack the steel line open at the master cylinder. If that lets it release, you have brake fluid contaminated with petroleum product. That will require replacement of all parts that have rubber that contacts the fluid, including seals or o-rings, and the steel lines will need to be flushed and dried. If you leave any part in place that has rubber inside, the contamination will leach out and recontaminate the other new parts. Usually you can quickly identify this type of contamination by inspecting the rubber bladder seal under the master cylinder reservoir cap. It will be blown up and mushy, and hard to put back in place.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 AT 8:42 PM

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