Video tutorial on the 3 different ways on how a drum brake assembly can stick on. Having the drum brake assembly stick on can mean either the vehicle won’t move or it will create an excessive amount of heat damaging multiple components in the process. You may also see poor acceleration, poor braking performance, the vehicle pulls to one side, or an increase in fuel consumption.

Tools/Supplies Needed:

standard screwdriver
wheel wrench
jack
axle stands
any required replacement parts

Step 1: Wheel Cylinder

The wheel cylinder can become seized:

Over time these may becoming rusty or filled with dirt which is usually a result from failing boots. Wheel cylinder has both a front and rear piston, therefore two in total. Either one or both pistons can become seized and to determine if the wheel cylinder faulty, you should be able to push the pads inward from one side to the other if the pistons aren’t bottomed out. If not, then have a second person, being extremely careful, lightly depress the brake pedal. Do not got too far as you do risk pushing the piston out completely and in order to remove the drum, the automatic adjust can be backed off through the small hole in the backing plate. If that fails, then you may need to cut the hold down spring pins on the backing plate or remove the wheel cylinder completely. As for repairing the issue, you can rebuild the wheel cylinder yourself, have someone rebuild the unit for you, or purchase a new replacement.

Step 2: Emergency Brake

A stuck emergency brake:

Other emergency brake cables can become filled with dirt or rust which will prevent them returning to their freed position. This can happen to both vehicle which never have the emergency brake used or ones which are used all the time. Normally if they are used, this does reduce the risk of them sticking. This can happen to one side of both sides of a vehicle and if you recently applied the emergency brake, then this could possibly be the culprit. If not, then the issue does not relating to the emergency brake assembly. If you try to apply the emergency brake, depending on the assemblies design or if there is an issue with both cables, you won’t feel tension on the lever. Another reason for not feeling tension on the lever is if the emergency brake is in need of adjustment. To repair or assist in the repair, sometimes you can reverse the vehicle which will push the shoes back, but this only works in a mild situation. Other times the cable can be giggled to reduce the tension or back the automatic adjuster off and as a final solution, cut the emergency brake cable directly behind the drum brake assembly. Considering the cable or cables are faulty, they will need to be replaced regardless. Even if you did manage to get the cable to return, the issue will return again.

Step 3: Brake Shoes

Rusted brake shoes:

This normally happens if a vehicle can been sitting for a longer period of time and will also depend on the composition of the shoe braking material. This won’t cause drag on the drum, but rather the drum to stick on completely and the vehicle will not move or at least the wheel won’t. In a mild situation you should be able to drive the vehicle in reverse which will break the shoes free. Driving forward will most likely not work as the drum brake assembly is self energizing and will only push more against the braking surface rather than just allowing the drum to rotate. In a severe situation, you will need to disassemble the drum brake assembly backing the automatic adjuster off, then either using a puller or cutting the hold down pins and replace any parts as needed.