Back right wheel smoking?

[Deebs]

Took my 1970 bug out for a ride last week, got into a friend's driveway where I pulled the parking brake. I noticed it pulled up higher (more clicks) than usual). Well, stayed for a while and then left. Disengaged the parking brake and drove home. I noticed the ride was rougher on the way home. I got into my driveway where I noticed my back right brake was smoking and the hubcap was hot enough to fry an egg. I have the wheel off and have loosened the shoes using the adjustment star nut on the back. Thoughts on what it might be? The brake is definitely stuck, no doubt. Curious if it may be a cable or a spring issue? Thanks guys (first post!)

[Cusser]

Most likely a spring issue. Unless you messed with the brake pushrod length recently.

Likely you'll need a brake hardware kit and have to clean stuff up. Make sure the shoes are fully in the slots. I'd do both rears, then readjust the brake shoes.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[TDCTDI]

Internally collapsed brake hose or a binding parking brake cable.
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[Deebs]

[Cusser]

[Deebs]

[60ragtop]

edit bad reading skills
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
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[EverettB]

[Cusser]

I had stuck rear brakes on my 1971, needed new brake hardware and not hoses.

Bottom line is no one knows for sure. Open the bleeder valve, that should help isolate if it's free then !!!
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Deebs]

[Cusser]

[Deebs]

[Deebs]

If it is a brake hose, will I be able to replace without bleeding the master cylinder?

[EverettB]

[bluebus86]

if the hubcap was hot enough to fry an egg, the wheel cylinders rubber bits maybe damaged, it would make sense to examine it internally. Wheel cylinders are cheap, might be worth replacing, check it out.

Shoes may also have been damaged, check appearance of the shoe, make sure lining is not separating from the shoe. compare shoes to that on opposite side, if one is really worn more than other, it is wise to replace the entire rear set for even braking action.

If hot enough, the oil seal found on early Bugs (swing axle) maybe damaged. if later Bug with IRS the bearing grease may have over heated.

The damage all depends on how hot it got.

Next time the Bug is not acting normal, stop and inspect before driving more.


Bug On, Now Stop It!
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[EVfun]

One thing I don't see mentioned is the wheel cylinder. When they get rusty inside they may seize. The pressure when using the brakes will expand them but the rust will keep them from returning.

If cracking and tightening the bleeder causes that wheel to spin free again it is likely the flex hose. If it leaves the wheel stuck it is likely a rusted wheel cylinder.
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[vamram]

I had an issue similar to this a few months ago on my (since sold) '72 Super Beetle. I'm not ASE certified or anything, but I replaced spring kits, wheel cylinder, soft lines (steel-braided lines actually) and it kept happening. The problem in my case ended up being an out of round drum. That was the last thing that occurred to me since the drum wasn't even 3 years old, but there you have it. Cheap chinese drum.
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[Deebs]

Okay guys, finally got the drum off and got some investigating done! Top spring isn't moving at all?

There is quite a bit of play in the parking brake cable when it is disengaged, and wobbles back and forth. As if it is not sitting flush against everything else. I noticed when it was engaged and then disengaged, the front shoe does not move at all.
Take a look at my photos, and please watch the video (only 41 seconds) and let me know what you think.

https://youtu.be/U-dH91Iu4Dk

[Cusser]

[Deebs]

Cusser, I see what you're saying. Thanks for the help. I guess this would explain why these are backwards and does not hold the parking brake lever as it should.