1966 Beetle front brake won't release properly

[Cribbs74]

1966 Bug right front brake will not release properly. I installed new shoes/spring kit today as the passenger side front shoes were wore down, glazed and cracking. I assumed it was an adjustment issue, but the new shoes are doing the same thing the old ones were. Symptoms are: car pulls slightly to left when braking, and right wheel does not retract fully. So I assume it is one of two things. Collapsed hose or sticking wheel cylinder. What do you guys think?

[EVfun]

I wouldn't fight it. I would swap both front hoses, both front wheel cylinders, and put in new shoes. Hoses and wheel cylinders can show some similar failure symptoms, and you are seeing one they share. I wouldn't replace one wheel cylinder or one brake hose. This is the braking system -- life and death serious.
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[rockerarm]

Hi. Diagnose it. Jack car up and have a 7mm box wrench handy. Have someone press the brake pedal and hold. You verify it doesn't turn. Have them release the pedal. It should spin freely. If it doesn't, crack open the bleeder slightly. If the wheel spins the hose is restricted. If it doesn't spin the shoes are hanging up inside or the wheel cyl is stuck. That's the basic diagnostic procedure.

[Cribbs74]

Thanks guys, wasn't planning on just fixing one side, it's a must to do brakes in pairs. I appreciate the troubleshooting tip, I'll give it a go tomorrow.

[andk5591]

When replacing wheel cylinders, do it in pairs. You don't always know a replacement is the same. I just had a bad brand new wheel cylinder and my parts supplier didnt have another in stock and was going to take a while to get it. I got a pair from another place and did them both again.

The car initially had an issue with pulling after a short drive and the one side was hanging up. The problem then after replacing them was that I could not properly bleed, which is why I replaced them again. If your hoses are old, might as well just replace them and then you know its all done.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
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Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[Cribbs74]

Rust in the wheel cylinder. They are less than 2 years old... Fixed and working good now